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The 2014 NFL season ended just last week but it's never too early to start discussing football for the upcoming season, right? The NFL releases its schedule each year in the month of April, but the opponents for 2014 are already known.
Based on opponents' winning percentage in 2013, the Packers will have the 13th-toughest schedule next season. Green Bay's opponents in 2014 combined for a 2013 winning percentage of .504.
Besides playing the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings twice a year, the Packers will play teams in the AFC East and NFC South divisions next season. From those two divisions, Green Bay will play the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, and Carolina Panthers at home. They will play the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New Orleans Saints on the road.
The two remaining games are determined based on where they finished in the division (first in the NFC North). They will play the Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East champions) at home, and will travel on the road to play the NFC West and Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Of course, the last time the Packers played in Seattle, they lost on the miraculous and blasphemous "Fail Mary" play.
The eight teams that come into Lambeau next season combined for a winning percentage of .520, which gives the Packers the 11th-toughest home schedule, compared to the teams they play on the road having a .488 winning percentage (the 15th-toughest schedule on the road).
Despite being listed at 13, the Packers certainly should have a good slate of competitive games for next season. I definitely think the matchups against Seattle, Philadelphia, and New England could be some of the best games in the league, but you obviously can't assume sustained success for anyone in the NFL.
Aside from the division games, are there any 2014 opponents season you're particularly looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.
