In the NFL, every game is important. The length of the season dictates that each game is important for playoff position and even a shot at a postseason birth. The Green Bay Packers come into this season with Super Bowl aspirations and the schedule has some tough games in it but some are going to mean more than others. Here are the 3 pivotal games in the Packers 2022 schedule.
One quick note. I am not including any division games. No matter the season, division games are always pivotal.
Week 6 vs. Jets
This one may seem a little weird right at first glance however a deeper look shows how important this game is. This is the week after the London game. Matt Lafleur and the Packers chose not to take the bye week right after the London game and instead take the bye in December. Lafleur is banking on players needing the rest more in December than right after the London game. However, there is no denying that player’s body clocks will have to adjust quickly after playing across the pond. While the Jets are not a top team in the NFL, they are much improved and could catch the Packers in week 6 if they are not careful. Winning in London and then winning in week 6 versus the Jets is a pivotal early game in the Packers season.
Week 8 at Bills
This is a matchup that has Super Bowl potential. The Bills come into the 2022 season with a top offense led by QB Josh Allen and a defense that is just as good. This is a midseason matchup so there are no excuses for new faces being the problem. I left off the Week 3 Tampa Bay matchup because I think it could easily still be in the stage of growing pains for the offense. A loss isn’t horrific there. While a loss here would not be horrific for the Packers, it is going to be a good barometer of how they stack up against the NFL’s best. Even if the Packers do not win, they have to show that they can hang with the NFL elite.
Week 15 vs. Rams
The defending Super Bowl champs come to town late in the season. While there are many psychological victories that would come with defeating last year’s champion, this game is pivotal because of the timing. This comes right off the week 14 bye week meaning LaFleur and his staff have 2 weeks to prepare for this team. This starts the playoff push where a victory could be the difference between playoffs or no playoffs. The final three games are winnable for the Packers but getting started with a victory in week 15 could catapult the Packers into the playoffs and playing with confidence. They beat them last year and I look for the Packers to do it again.
Conclusion
The Packers have a lot of games to circle on their schedule. It will not be easy to get back to the playoffs and get through the NFC despite it being a little weaker in my opinion. In order to have a successful season, the Packers must get through these 3 pivotal games.
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