Packers game-by-game predictions after 2026 NFL Schedule release

The Green Bay Packers are looking to build upon a strong 2025 NFL regular season, but still have a lot to prove following their early NFC Wild Card departure at the hands of the Chicago Bears. After bolstering their defense to a Super Bowl standard, building an offense around franchise QB Jordan Love, and adding key needs through the draft, expectations are high in Green Bay as their beloved Packers hope to bring the Lombardi back to its rightful home.

The Packers may look a little different on both sides of the ball in 2026 as key defensive departures include EDGE Rashan Gary, LB Quay Walker, and EDGE Kingsley Enagbare. Budding wide receivers Romeo Doubs (NE) and Dontayvion Wicks (PHI) are both gone alongside breakout QB Malik Willis (MIA), so new additions like LB Zaire Franklin and rookies like CB Brandon Cisse may take some getting used to for fans.

Still, the Packers draw a favorable schedule this season and will be looking to capitalize on their championship window, awaiting the return of key game-changers like Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft to actualize their full potential. With the 2026 NFL Schedule officially releasing, we’ll make our game-by-game predictions for how the Packers 2026 schedule shakes out.

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— Green Bay Packers (@packers) May 14, 2026

Week 1 at Vikings (Sunday, Sept. 13): Win

The Packers went 1-1 against the Vikings last season, but it’s worth noting the 16-3 loss in Week 18 didn’t have much bearing on the Packers’ playoffs chances. They handled Minnesota in the Week 7 meeting 23-6 as the defense gave Vikings’ QB JJ McCarthy fits all game, forcing two interceptions on three total turnovers. I think the defense gets after him once again as Green Bay starts the season with a win.

Week 2 at Jets (Sunday, Sept. 20): Win

The New York Jets were among the NFL’s bottom four teams posting a 3-14 record in 2025-26 and they continued their streak of failing to make the playoffs for a 15th-straight season. They’re hoping No. 2-overall draft pick LB David Bailey can make an immediate impact on defense, but these two teams may be on different levels coming into the season. Expect a comfortable win out of the Packers in Week 2.

Week 3 vs. Falcons (Thursday, Sept. 24): Win

The Atlanta Falcons will be working through a competitive quarterback battle between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa to begin the season, so it’s still unclear who will be leading their offense out onto the field in Week 3. This will be the Packers’ first primetime game of the season with a ruckus crowd at Lambeau Field, so I expect them to find another win in a close game given the Falcons have won three of the last five meetings, the last game in 2023 being decided by just one point.

Week 4 at Buccaneers (Sunday, Oct. 4): Loss

The Packers will see their first loss in Week 4 when they visit Tampa Bay, continuing their struggles against the Bucs and losing the fourth of five meetings. The Buccaneers will have to get used to life without all-time leading receiver WR Mike Evans, but young talents Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan will make a huge impact this season, straining this new-look Packers secondary to force their first loss.

Week 5 vs. Bears (Sunday, Oct. 11): Win

This game has revenge written all over it and the Packers must have had this first meeting circled on the calendar since last year’s NFC Wild Card loss. The Bears should return just as competitive this season, but this meeting being held at Lambeau will have a huge boost in the Packers’ favor. Expect Micah Parsons to have a huge impact in this game, this potentially being his first game back since injury if the team decides to sit him for the first four weeks.

Week 6 vs. Cowboys (Sunday, Oct. 18): Win

The Packers vs. Cowboys rivalry will be renewed once again on Sunday Night Football Primetime from Green Bay. The Packers will host the Cowboys for the first time since 2022 when they took a win in overtime 31-28. During this all-time series, Green Bay is 12-5 against Dallas when playing on their home field and I expect those trends to continue as Micah Parsons faces his former team.

Week 7 at Lions (Sunday, Oct. 25): Loss

Heading near the halfway point of the season, injuries and fatigue will begin to take a toll on teams across the league. The Packers are hopeful they can remain much healthier than they did during 2025, but there’s no denying that these are some of the toughest games in the middle part of the season, especially with divisional play in full swing. This is a tough spot on the road in Detroit against a Lions team that has a ton to prove in 2026. Packers drop this game on the road by a razor-thin margin.

Week 8 vs. Panthers (Thursday, Oct. 29): Win

Heading into a short week for their second Thursday Night Football tilt, the Packers will be happy to stay at home and host the Panthers, who had a surprisingly productive season last year. Carolina is finally starting to see the return on QB Bryce Young and their defense ranked as a top unit last season. While the Panthers make things close in the first half, Packers win this game handily in the second.

Week 9 at Patriots (Sunday, Nov. 8): Loss

This will be an especially tough road game for the Packers having to see the reigning AFC Champions on their home field. QB Drake Maye is likely to take another big leap in 2026 given his current progression and this game will be a matchup between two of the fasting rising QB’s in the sport. Drake Maye and his Pats get it done in what should be a classic game in all three phases.

Week 10 vs. Vikings (Sunday, Nov. 15): Win

The second meeting against the Vikings should bring a similar story from Week 1. The Packers haven’t been particularly good against the NFC North the last few seasons, but last year’s 4-2 mark was a positive sign moving forward. I still expect this defense to have a handle on JJ McCarthy and come away with a win, but expect a much closer game out of a Vikings’ team with a ton of fight in them.

Week 11: BYE

Week 12 at Rams (Wednesday, Nov. 25): Loss

The Packers and Rams will make history in Week 12 with the NFL’s first Thanksgiving Eve football matchup. The Packers were big winners on Thanksgiving last season and they’ve risen to this occasion over the last couple of years. However, they won’t be facing an NFC North rival and instead draw the Los Angeles Rams on the road, projected a favorite to win the NFC. This game should be fun from an offensive standpoints, but the Rams should be able to hold on at home during the holiday.

Week 13 at Saints (Sunday, Dec. 6): Win

The Saint went a lackluster 6-11 last season and didn’t particularly play with any sort of advantage on their home field in New Orleans. This should be the perfect game for the Packers’ defense to recharge following a tough showing against the Rams, likely to win this game easily on the road.

Week 14 vs. Bills (Sunday, Dec. 13): Loss

The Bills come into yet another season as a perennial powerhouse so long that former MVP Josh Allen is at the helm. A December game in Green Bay could bring a snow game for the adapted Packers, but this point of the season is where the Bills are at their very best. Down the stretch, Buffalo will roll full steam ahead and take down the Packers down in the process.

Week 15 vs. Dolphins (Sunday, Dec. 20): Loss

There’s no question that the Packers were uncharacteristic in the way they finished their regular season with four-straight losses and a loss in the Wild Card. Jordan Love has been typically hot at the end of the year and this game will be a huge litmus test at home as they eye the postseason. It also means beloved former Packers QB Malik Willis will return back to Green Bay for the first time in a Dolphins uniform, so expect an inspired performance out of him as the Dolphins stun the Packers at home.

Week 16 Christmas Day at Bears (Friday, Dec. 25): Win

The Packers meet the Bears once again for a prime time matchup that could have serious implications on the playoffs a few weeks from then. This should be another classic matchup as both teams will be fighting for a divisional title, but I expect the Packers to sweep this series with the NFL Playoffs set as their real goal. Packers win a game that will likely go into overtime.

Week 17 vs. Texans (Monday, Jan. 4): Win

The Texans had their struggles last season behind an inconsistent offense and it’ll be interesting to see how competitive they are by this point of the season. Matt LaFleur wants to emphasize a strong finish to the season and these will be the games where Green Bay’s elite defense is carrying them. Expect the Texans to struggle in the winter elements as the Packers win.

Week 18 vs. Lions (Date TBD): Win

This game is still being flexed for either Saturday, January 9th or Sunday, January 10th. Given where both teams are in the standings, this could very well be a battle with the NFC North on the line for either side. The Packers have the edge in ending their regular season with two home games including this one where they find revenge against the Lions from Week 7.

Final Record: 11-6

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