The 2024 Green Bay Packers struggled mightily against their divisional opponents, that’s no secret at this point. In fact, they were a Karl Brooks fingertip away from being completely winless against the rest of the NFC North. One of the recurring themes in those five losses was slow starts. So when the 2025 NFL schedule was released, I immediately looked to see when the Packers would be facing the Vikings, Lions, and Bears. The schedule makers did not disappoint—or depending on how you look at it, maybe they did. The way things are set up, Green Bay’s entire season could be determined by a three-week stretch late in the year: home against the Vikings, on the road against the Lions, and back home to face the Bears.

Looking back at how the Packers performed against divisional opponents last season, they were competitive but got outplayed when it mattered most. I’m going to throw out the Week 18 game against the Bears for the sake of this argument. Jordan Love got injured mid-game, the Packers had nothing to gain in terms of playoff seeding, and for the Bears, it was their Super Bowl. That said, Green Bay still should have won—if Matt LaFleur and Rich Bisaccia knew how to manage the clock.

Against the Vikings, the Packers lost both games by a combined total of four points. In the first matchup—Love’s return after missing two games with an MCL sprain—they were down 28–0 before mounting a near-epic comeback, ultimately falling short in a 31–29 loss. In an odd twist of fate, their Week 17 rematch in Minnesota followed a similar script. Green Bay found themselves down 27–3 before another late push brought them within two, losing 27–25. In both games, the Packers started slow, and by the time they figured things out, it was too late. A play or two early in each game could have completely altered the outcomes.

The games against the Lions were similar, although less competitive. The first matchup in Green Bay was played in rainy, sloppy conditions, and the Packers trailed 17–3 at halftime. It was close up until the final seconds of the half—until Jordan Love threw one of the worst interceptions you’ll ever see. Down 24–6 at that point, a touchdown and two-point conversion only left the Packers wondering “what if.” In the rematch a month later, the game was more of a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading touchdowns. Ultimately, the Lions won by three points thanks to a Jake Bates time-expiring field goal.

Even in their sole division win—Week 10 against the Bears in Chicago—Green Bay marched right down the field for a 7–0 lead, but the offense never looked the same afterward. They managed to put up 20 points and edged out a one-point win, thanks to that aforementioned Karl Brooks fingertip block. But after that first drive, something just felt off.

This season, the Packers need to make it a priority to come out “piss hot” against the Vikings, Lions, and Bears. That Week 12–14 stretch—facing all three consecutively—is the most compelling part of the Packers’ schedule to me. Late November into early December is when playoff contenders begin to emerge and separate themselves from the (no pun intended) pack. Two of those games are at home, which should benefit Green Bay. The third is a nationally televised Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Lions. Historically, Green Bay has played well in Detroit on Thanksgiving. Just two years ago, they walked into Ford Field and upset the Lions, kickstarting their playoff run. This year’s team can use that same stretch to reestablish themselves—not just within the NFC North, but among the conference’s contenders.

This year, the Lions and Vikings look more vulnerable. Detroit lost both of its coordinators and recently saw its All-Pro center retire in a surprising move. The Vikings will be starting a quarterback who has yet to take an NFL snap. The Bears have a first-time head coach. And while he’s seen as an offensive guru, it’s unclear how that will translate to the top job. In my opinion, the Packers are the only team in the division that didn’t get worse this offseason—and may have actually improved.

Yes, the Packers were a playoff team last year, but it always felt like something was a little off. They went 10–1 against non-NFC North teams—the only loss coming to the Philadelphia Eagles. Against the division, though, they felt like the little brother who was only at the party because the older siblings (the Vikings and Lions) had to bring him along. They can completely flip the script this season and reclaim the north in that week 3 span.

This season, the game plan against divisional opponents is simple: Start hot, start fast, and don’t let up.