If you missed it when you’re enjoying Bucks domination or Brewers win, Green Bay Packers came out with their 2017 schedule. This got leaked early in the afternoon, but still seeing the schedule out is a good feeling every year even if it’s all for PR. At first blush, Packers have a reasonably hard schedule. There are three, maybe four games, where you already pencil them in as a victory versus other years where we can find a ton of W’s. Here are the five things that stood out.

Potential brutal opening stretch leading Packers fans freak out
Oh boy. The start of the season isn’t great for Green Bay on paper. They have to play Seattle and Atlanta to open up the season, which seems unfair in some regard, but Seahawks usually scuffle out of the gate plus they’ve been so bad at Lambeau Field. This is the second straight year Packers will open up a stadium on Sunday night. Last year’s regular season game between Packers-Falcons was fantastic.

Bunch of primetime, but no Turkey Day
I think everyone had the idea with Dallas Cowboys on the schedule that Packers would find themselves on Thanksgiving. That didn’t happen as they’re playing Cowboys in Week 5. That week, they go in primetime, but it’s Sunday night against Pittsburgh in what will probably be billed as a ‘Super BOwl preview.’ Primetime is all over the place on this schedule, which is always fun even if my commades love the noon starts.

Tampa could be a bigger game than it looks in early December
Don’t sleep on Tampa Bay Buccaneers making a jump this season. They were in the playoff hunt until the second-to-last game of the season. I wouldn’t be shocked if they’re fighting for playoff positioning in early December. Jameis Winston will be playing Packers for the first time in his career.

Four out of the last six are away from Lambeau Field
Ron Wolf would have probably already f bombed the whole office had this happened in the 90’s. Packers will lose out on the Lambeau homefield advantage this season, and once again, they go to Detroit to end the year which is an odd move. It appears the generator pumped out a similar version from last year. Green Bay won from the road before, but it’s frustrating to not have the Lambeau edge in the cold months of the year.

Bye week falls middle of the year.
That’s a plus for Packers after a Week 4 Bye last season. That’s good for injuries among other things. After those first eight games, Packers will definitely need a break. It’s nice to get Lions after the break since we know how Mike McCarthy is after a bye week. Additionally, Green Bay and Detroit’s matchups give Packers extra breaks in both instances.

Let’s have a good season, and I’m thinking 11-5/10-6 is in the future for this team.

Charlie.