Packers will reveal if they're ready to compete early in 2025 season

There's something rare happening in Green Bay in 2025. No, it wasn't the NFL Draft, or the Packers taking a wideout in the first round since 2002. 

The other rarity in Green Bay will occur on Sept. 7, when the Packers begin their 2025 season. It's a game against the Detroit Lions, and it will be at Lambeau Field for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS.

It's the first time in the Matt LaFleur era that the Packers are opening their season at home. What could be a better test for LaFleur and his young team than a Lions squad that has gone 5-2 against them in the regular season since head coach Dan Campbell took over in 2021?

The Lions have won the division two years in a row, and though they're going to be a brand new outfit with two new coordinators at the helm, this is still a gritty team that has had the Packers' number recently.

History has always been on the Packers' side in this matchup, but recent history is all about the Lions. To make matters dicier for the Packers, Detroit will have a healthy Aidan Hutchinson back, and you can bet the Pro Bowl defensive end will be rearing to get after quarterback Jordan Love after missing most of last season with a leg injury.

This is a massive test for the Packers in Week 1, but it doesn't get any easier in Week 2 when they host the Washington Commanders. This is the same club that knocked off the Lions in the NFC divisional round in Detroit in January. There's a case to be made that they're even stronger now.

QB Jayden Daniels is coming off his Rookie of the Year season, and HC Dan Quinn is in charge of a defense that could be elite in 2025. The Commanders also brought in WR Deebo Samuel via trade with the San Francisco 49ers, so they're clearly "all-in" and going for it with their young quarterback.

If the Packers exit this stretch 2-0, they'll have made a statement that they're ready to be one of the NFC's best teams this season. They were good last season but struggled against better opponents.

If Green Bay heads into Week 3 at 0-2, serious questions about its ability to compete in 2025 will arise.

If they come out at 1-1, then it's a wash, and perhaps nothing will have been learned outside of in-game specifics.

No matter what happens, though, we'll likely know precisely the type of team the Packers are by the time they travel to the Cleveland Browns for their Week 3 matchup.