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Packers Schedule Release 2026 – The Best Games Are…
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The NFL truly operates like clockwork. Seriously, it does. Last year, the NFL schedule was released on May 14, and guess what? It’s being released on May 14 again this year. That’s just funny to me. Only the NFL can scrape the bottom of the barrel in May and somehow turn it into a massive profit. And honestly, that’s exactly what they’ve done with the annual schedule release. What makes it even funnier is that we already know every matchup. We’ve known since the regular season ended back in January, and yes, that includes the Green Bay Packers.

Now, don’t get me wrong—the schedule release is still exciting. It’s always fun to start planning which games to attend or to see how many primetime games the Packers end up getting. Maybe that’s why it still feels special. There’s still a little bit of mystery left to uncover.

Well, on Thursday, that mystery will finally be revealed. Here are the top five games I’m most excited about on the Packers’ schedule this season.

(Note: I’m leaving NFC North games off this list. Those rivalries speak for themselves and are always highly anticipated.)

Packers Schedule Release – Number 5

Packers at Buccaneers

The Green Bay Packers have never seemed to have much luck in Florida or California. Sure, they pick up wins here and there, but they always seem a little snakebitten in those states. Unfortunately, they’ll be traveling to both again this season.

That’ll be especially important when they face Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay.

Jordan Love versus Baker Mayfield could turn into an epic shootout. Whenever these former division rivals face off, it tends to create an entertaining matchup. Let’s just hope the Packers don’t have to head to Tampa early in the season because we all know what that means: the Buccaneers forcing Green Bay to wear those dark green uniforms in the Florida heat. They always seem to do that.

Schedule Release – Number 4

Packers at Patriots

This game is intriguing for several reasons.

The Patriots are coming off a Super Bowl loss and had a fascinating offseason, to say the least. Drake Maye looks like a young superstar quarterback after receiving MVP consideration last season. The Packers and Patriots have long been two of the NFL’s model franchises, so it’s always fun when these organizations meet.

Adding even more intrigue, former Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs signed with New England in free agency this offseason.

This one should be a lot of fun.

Schedule Release – Number 3

Bills at Packers

Josh Allen versus Jordan Love. Do I really need to say more?

This matchup has primetime written all over it. The Bills made major changes this offseason, firing Sean McDermott and promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach. That move signals a major organizational shift as Buffalo searches for a way to finally get over the playoff hump.

Josh Allen always shows up, and this game will be no exception. Buffalo also added former Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore via trade, which adds another interesting wrinkle to the matchup.

Lambeau Field should be electric for this one.

Packers Schedule Release – Number 2

Cowboys at Packers

It’s the Cowboys.

Packers-Cowboys games are always must-see TV. The Cowboys could be the worst team in football and still draw massive ratings. It also helps that these games are usually competitive. Even when one side starts blowing the other out, you still find yourself wondering if a comeback is coming. History says it just might.

Dak Prescott is always entertaining to watch, which makes these games both exciting and stressful.

And of course, there’s the Micah Parsons storyline. That alone adds another level of intrigue to this matchup. Last season’s Packers-Cowboys game ended in a tie, so there’s still unfinished business between these teams.

Honorable Mention:

Dolphins at Packers

The Dolphins still have a long way to go, but they’re building things the right way. Miami is quietly becoming “Green Bay South,” thanks to the additions of former Packers personnel executives and coaches.

Jon-Eric Sullivan is now the Dolphins’ general manager, while Jeff Hafley took over as head coach. They even added former Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis to potentially lead the offense.

Miami was loaded with draft capital this year and will continue building aggressively moving forward. They may not be ready to truly compete yet, but keep an eye on them in the future.

Packers Schedule Release – Number 1

Packers at Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

They play in an absolutely brutal division featuring the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and the always-dangerous San Francisco 49ers. That level of competition tends to sharpen a football team, and it makes the Rams dangerous every single week.

What’s especially interesting is that a Matt LaFleur-led Packers team has never lost to a Sean McVay-led Rams team. That’s honestly a pretty wild statistic.

Still, the Rams remain loaded. Matthew Stafford has plenty of weapons at his disposal, and Los Angeles continues to field a strong defense. Add in Green Bay’s struggles in California over the years, and this becomes one of the toughest games on the schedule.

This matchup could be an excellent measuring stick for where the Packers stand heading into the postseason push.

Personally, I hope none of these games land too early in the season. The Packers will want to be as healthy and complete as possible before taking on teams like these.

I guess we’ll find out on Thursday.

But regardless of what happens,

Always,

Go Pack Go!

This article first appeared on PackersTalk.com and was syndicated with permission.

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