Green Bay Packers 2011 Schedule: An in-Depth Analysis of Each Game

Green Bay Packers 2011 schedule released: Saints, Giants and Chargers among notable games.

To be or not to be, that is the question.

With the lockout looming, it's unclear whether there will even be an NFL season next year, but if there is, the Green Bay Packers have a tough road ahead.

If they want to repeat as champions, they're first going to have to go through five playoff teams in the regular season.

So let's take a game-by-game look at the Packers' 2011 schedule.

Week 1: Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers looks on during Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

This should be interesting.

The past two Super Bowl champions will do battle in week one to see who is the ultimate lord of the rings.

With Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Charles Woodson and Jonathan Vilma on hand, we'll get to see quite a bit of star power in this matchup.

And I think quite a few fans will be anticipating the rematch between Greg Jennings and Darren Sharper.

This is by no means an easy game for Green Bay; New Orleans is better than they played last season in Seattle.

With that being said, the Packers should be the favorite in this one and this should be a win for Green Bay.

But it is by no means a guarantee.

Week 2: Green Bay Packers @ Carolina Panthers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Nick Collins #36 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after scoring a 37 yard touchdown on an interception in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Ar

Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Von Miller...whatever. Bring it on.

Week 3: Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: A.J. Hawk #50 of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sideline against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won 31-25. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox

This one could set the tone in the NFC North early on.

It should be a slugfest. Aaron Rodgers never does that well against the Bears, so I see this being a low-scoring game.

I can't wait for this one.

Week 4: Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Jermichael Finley #88 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a touchdown catch against the Detroit Lions in front of a goal post wrapped with a breast cancer awarness pad at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin

In week four, the Packers will play host to the very mediocre Denver Broncos.

It could possibly be Tim Tebow under center for this game, and I hope it is. I'd love to see Clay Matthews flatten him.

This should be a fairly easy win at home.

Week 5: Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers drops back against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Ima

This game may be on the road, but if last year's divisional playoff is any indicator, the Packers feel right at home in Atlanta.

Rodgers has been a beast when playing in domes throughout his career, and the Packers clearly have Matt Ryan's number.

Still, the Falcons are a great home team, and this is a matchup that could go either way.

Win or lose, this should be a fun game to watch.

Let the Rodgers-Ryan rivalry continue!

Week 6: Green Bay Packers vs. St. Louis Rams

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers returns a kick against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Rams are a team on the rise, but how high will they rise in 2011?

My guess is not high enough to beat the Packers in Lambeau, seeing as how they couldn't even win the worst division in NFL history last season.

Still, if Sam Bradford could rise to the Matt Ryan level, I suppose it's possible, though still unlikely.

Week 7: Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Donald Driver #80 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after catching a 24 yard pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by

What was one of the most intriguing matchups in the NFL a year ago has all of a sudden lost its flavor.

With Brett Favre hangin' 'em up for good (we think), there is all of a sudden less fun in an Aaron Rodgers vs. Tavaris Jackson/Joe Webb/Jake Locker/Kevin Kolb/Donovan McNabb matchup.

Still, this is an in-division game, and when these two teams play there's always a special intensity to the game.

Even with a motivated Vikings team, expect Green Bay to walk out of this one with a "W."

Week 8: Bye Week

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers looks on during warm ups against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won 31-25. (Photo by Mike Ehrman

The Packers are off Week 8.

Week 9: Green Bay Packers @ San Diego Chargers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: B.J. Raji #90 of the Green Bay Packers puts on a cheesehead during Super Bowl XLV Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green Bay P

In week nine, the Packers have a potentially dangerous matchup in San Diego.

I'm telling you, people. Do not sleep on the Chargers.

The Chargers have an outstanding all-around team, and this game should go down to the very last minute.

Week 10: Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Sam Shields #37 of the Green Bay Packers runs on the field during warm ups against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The {ackers won 31-25. (Photo by Mik

There isn't much time between Packer-Viking matchups this year, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. 

As I said before, there's a lot of bad blood between these two and that could make this a great game.

Still, Green Bay has to be the favorite here.

Week 11: Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rob Carr/G

The Packers have an interesting matchup in week 10 against the team that nearly pushed them out of the playoffs: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay is led by their stud young quarterback, Josh Freeman.

The Bucs may not be the most talented team in the league, but they seem to find a way.

This is by no means a lock for a win.

Week 12: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: John Kuhn #30 of the Green Bay Packers addresses the media during Super Bowl XLV Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green Bay Pa

Not only do the Packers play on Christmas this year, they also play on Thanksgiving.

That's right. The Packers will travel to Detroit on Thanksgiving to take on the hungry Lions.

Detroit won their last four games in 2010 and could be a playoff team this year (no, really), so this shouldn't be easy. But the Packers have historically owned the Lions.

Still, this should be a fun game to watch.

Week 13: Green Bay Packers @ New York Giants

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Chad Clifton #76 of the Green Bay Packers holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl XLV 31-25 against the at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Packers will travel to New York for the second straight year.

Last year they beat the stuffing out of the Giants in the Meadowlands and also shut out the Jets, so they seem to be fairly comfortable there.

The Giants have a shot, but I think Green Bay will have a feast here. I just have a feeling.

Week 14: Green Bay Packers vs. Oakland Raiders

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers, who was injured during the game, celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31 to 25 in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6,

Another team that some would consider a sleeper for 2011 is the Oakland Raiders.

They have some serious talent that can't be ignored.

But they're also the Raiders, so they'll find a way to make sure Green Bay wins this one, I'm sure.

Week 15: Green Bay Packers @ Kansas City Chiefs

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Desmond Bishop #55 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after the Packers 21-14 victory against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Ima

The Packers will be traveling to Arrowhead late in the season to take on the Chiefs in a game that could have serious playoff implications.

Matt Cassel was David Garrard-esque last season. He wasn't great, but he was mistake-free. Jamaal Charles was ridiculous last season, tallying the league's best yards-per-carry average since Jim Brown.

Dwayne Bowe is a stud, and the Chiefs' defense is pretty good.

This should be one of the biggest tests on the Packers schedule.

Week 16: Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

This is the one date I will circle on my schedule.

A Christmas matchup between the Bears and Packers? Are you kidding me? I better go check my bed for Megan Fox, because I think I might be in heaven.

This could be a blowout, but it just seems awesome to me that on Christmas I'll be watching Packers-Bears.

This should be one hell of a game.

Week 17: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 21: Running back Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers looks on during warmups prior to the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on August 21, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The Packers will close the season out by hosting the Lions in what should be an interesting game.

The Lions could have a playoff spot riding on this game, which means the game could have meaning.

Green Bay's the favorite if their starters play, but we'll see where we are come season's end.