NFL schedule day is one of those I nerd out about. Why? I’m not sure honestly. Maybe, I like drawing up the fake storylines heading into each week. Maybe it’s the idea of football being back even if we’re usually deep in the NBA Playoffs and MLB is cooking too. There is something about the idea of football being back and played. Times are different right now, but the NFL is confident that they will play with fans in September. I know many don’t agree, but I do. We’re making strides with more and more tests that there will be fans in the stands. The answer as to how many might be limited. Regardless, this is the first time I can remember in a while that I have little qualms with the Packers schedule.

Week 1: at Minnesota, noon, FOX
Week 2: vs. Detroit, noon, FOX
Week 3: at New Orleans, 7:20 pm, NBC
Week 4: vs. Atlanta, 7:30 pm, ESPN (Monday)
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: at Tampa Bay, 3:25 pm, FOX
Week 7: at Houston, noon, FOX
Week 8: vs. Minnesota, noon, FOX
Week 9: at San Francisco, 7:20, FOX
Week 10: vs. Jacksonville, noon, FOX
Week 11: at Indianapolis, noon, FOX
Week 12: vs. Chicago, 7:20 pm, NBC
Week 13: vs. Philadelphia, 3:25 pm, CBS
Week 14: at Detroit, noon FOX
Week 15: vs. Carolina, TBD
Week 16: vs. Tennessee, 7:20 NBC
Week 17: vs. Chicago, noon, FOX

From most angles, this is a schedule to be happy about for a variety of reasons. One, you get five of your last six games at home. Lambeau Field is a tougher place to play in November and December. My buddy Eric theorized this could account for no fans early in the season. Opening up with Minnesota isn’t too bad considering the Vikings have a ton of new pieces early on. The only quibble I have is playing four games in 19 days and it ends against San Francisco. That is not fun. Getting a second bye in November is nice, but the travel is pretty tough.

I hate doing predictions off the schedule, but I’ll go with 12-4 at this point. What’s yours?

Charlie.