Green Bay Packers 2009 Schedule & Analysis
Pack has 3rd Easiest Strength-of-Schedule in NFL
Aug 11, 2009
With preseason games about to start and the 2009 NFL regular season just six weeks off, the schedule analysis has begun in earnest. Here’s a look at the Green Bay Packers 2009 schedule, including exhibition games, followed by some brief observations.
Green Bay Packers 2009 Season Schedule
(Home Games in CAPS/All times CENTRAL Standard Time)
- Sat Aug 15 CLEVELAND BROWNS (preseason)—7:00 pm
- Sat Aug 22 BUFFALO BILLS (preseason)—7:00 pm
- Fri Aug 28 @ Arizona Cardinals (preseason)—9:00 pm
- Thu Sep 3 @ Tennesee Titans (preseason)—7:00 pm
- Sun Sep 13 CHICAGO BEARS—7:20 pm
- Sun Sep 20 CINCINNATI BENGALS—12 noon
- Sun Sep 27 @ St. Louis Rams—12 noon
- Mon Oct 5 @ Minnesota Vikings—7:30 pm
- Sun Oct 11 **bye week**
- Sun Oct 18 DETROIT LIONS—12 noon
- Sun Oct 25 @ Cleveland Browns—12 noon
- Sun Nov 1 MINNESOTA VIKINGS—12 noon
- Sun Nov 8 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers—12 noon
- Sun Nov 15 DALLAS COWBOYS—3:15 pm
- Sun Nov 22 SAN FRANCISCO 49ers—12 noon
- Thu Nov 26 @ Detroit Lions/Thanksgiving--11:30 am
- Mon Dec 7 BALTIMORE RAVENS—7:30 pm
- Sun Dec 13 @ Chicago Bears—12 noon
- Sun Dec 20 @ Pittsburgh Steelers—12 noon
- Sun Dec 27 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS—12 noon
- Sun Jan 3 @ Arizona Cardinals—3:15 pm
According to the NFL’s strength-of-schedule analysis, the Packers will face the third easiest schedule of all teams in 2009. NFC North rivals Minnesota and Chicago have the 2nd easiest and easiest, respectively. The North is paired in games this season with the AFC North, a relatively weak division (Pittsburgh and Baltimore notwithstanding). Green Bay’s 2009 opponents had an overall .428 record in 2008.
However, as Bucky Brooks of NFL.com convincingly argues, “SOS” has proven to be a deceptive determinant over the few recent seasons it's been used. The NFL is just too unpredictable year to year.
Several Primetime Games for 2009 Packers, Including Thanksgiving
A brief look at the Packers 2009 season reveals some interesting points. Opening at Lambeau vs. the rival Bears is always a great game…and anyone’s. It’s a primetime Sunday night game, one of four nationally televised this season. The two Monday Night Football appearances are vs. the Vikings in Minnesota (October 5th/week 4) and the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field (December 7th/week 13). The Pack will play the early Thanksgiving Day game at Detroit (11:30 am/November 26th). It will be their 19th holiday meeting. Green Bay won 37-26 in 2007.
Second Half of 2009 Season Much Tougher
The 2009 season looks on paper like one where stockpiling early victories in should-win games (Bengals, Rams, Lions, Browns, 49ers) will be even more crucial than usual. Green Bay’s BYE (week 5) may be just a bit early given the fact that the season gets substantially tougher after midseason, beginning with Dallas, November 15th. The Packers will need to be, at worst, 6-2 at this point, hopefully 7-1— including at least one necessary win vs. the Vikings—or they will not be contending by the holidays.
Among the final five regular season contests: the Ravens (2008: 11-5, lost in AFC title game) and away games at Soldier Field, and at both of last year's Super Bowl teams, Pittsburgh and Arizona.
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