Green Bay Packers: Analyzing the 2012 Schedule

The 2012-13 schedule for the NFL has been released, and while the official week-by-week listing won't be available until the end of the month, home and away matchups are known and ready for analysis and discussion.

Because the season is so far away, it's impossible and almost naive to attempt to guess the outcome of every match; there are simply too many unknown factors to try and predict.

What we can do though, is look at whether the 2012-13 schedule is easier than it was last year for certain teams, and what that will do for their overall chances.

You'll find a complete breakdown of their schedule compared to last year, as well as the three most exciting matches to look forward to in 2012.

Ready? Let's roll.

Green Bay Packers in 2011

2011 will be a year that Green Bay will look back on and want to forget.

They simply dominated the regular season, blowing apart anyone that came in their path, before an embarrassing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs ruined their shot at a perfect record.

However, the real killer came against the New York Giants in the divisional round of the playoffs, with a 37-20 loss on home soil ending any chance at success in Super Bowl XLVI.

Their offense—led by the brilliance of Aaron Rodgers—was arguably the strongest in the league, and proved a handful for defenses all year long. Their real weakness was their own defense, allowing the most passing yards per game and the third most touchdowns for the season.

2011-12 Schedule

Starting with the obvious, Green Bay played six divisional games against the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, both home and away, and ran out winners in all six matches.

They also played the entire NFC South in the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and again, the Packers won all four, but only recorded a double-figure victory on one occasion.

As mentioned before, their one loss for the season came against the Kansas City Chiefs—one of the four teams in the AFC West that Green Bay played. Against arguably the weakest division in the league, the Packers tore apart Denver and Oakland, and chalked up another win against the Philip Rivers-led Chargers.

They also played one team from the NFC West and one from the NFC East in the St. Louis Rams and New York Giants respectively. While the Rams didn't put up much of a fight, the eventual Super Bowl champions pushed the Packers all the way before a late field goal gave Green Bay the win.

As strange as it may sound with a 15-1 record, 2011 was a fairly tough schedule for the Packers.

The NFC South is no slouch of a division, and neither are teams like the Lions, Giants and Chargers. They played six games against playoff sides and, out of 16 matches, that is not an easy thing to do.

2012-13 Schedule

Again, getting the easy ones out of the way, Green Bay will play its six divisional games against an ever-improving division in the NFC North. Detroit are continuing to impress and Chicago will be much stronger this year also—making another divisional sweep a tougher ask.

They also play the NFC West and, potentially, against Peyton Manning somewhere along the line. The defensive skills of teams like the 49ers, Cardinals and Seahawks will be tested by the throwing prowess of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense.

The AFC South also appears on the radar, with Jacksonville and Tennessee coming to Green Bay, and road trips to Houston and Indianapolis too. While Houston was solid throughout the year, you have to think that this is an easier division than it appears on first glance.

Again, there is a lot of speculation involved—especially with a division that will almost certainly hold Andrew Luck among its participants too.

Rounding out their schedule for 2012 are the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants—two matches that could have a huge influence on the playoff dreams of both sides.

New Orleans were knocked out by San Francisco in last year's playoffs, who were knocked out by New York the following week.

Neither of those are easy teams to face—particularly a road trip to New York.

Comparing the strength of schedule.

You have to say that this year's divisional games will be a tougher task than last. Other than Detroit, the NFC North didn't put up much resistance to the Packers, but they will in 2012.

Chicago will benefit from a healthy roster and Brandon Marshall, while the Vikings will benefit from a stronger offensive line.

Tougher year? 2012.

The NFC West has plenty of room for potential, but it is not at the same level as the NFC South—with or without Peyton Manning in it.

New Orleans and Atlanta are both playoff sides, and Carolina will benefit from another year with Cam Newton. Even Tampa pushed Green Bay last year, and that's something I can only see San Francisco doing this year.

Tougher year? 2011.

In 2011, the AFC West was an open field, will all teams equally as strong (or weak) as each other, with the Denver Broncos winning out in the final round to make the playoffs over the San Diego Chargers.

And despite not being a whole lot stronger, the AFC South is still a tougher ask. Houston will benefit from a regular quarterback in 2012, and Andrew Luck could do anything with the Colts. Throw in to that mix the defensive presence of the Titans and Jaguars, and it's a tougher division, no question.

Tougher year? 2012.

In terms of their other two games, this one is almost a no-brainer. They play the same team again in the New York Giants, but instead of the 2-14 St. Louis Rams, they play the number one offense in the league in New Orleans.

Drew Brees will be out for another strong year, and will be after revenge on the Packers for their nail-biting loss in the opening round of 2011.

Tougher year? 2012.

Three games to watch:

No. 1 — Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

Detroit were right in this match last year on Thanksgiving, but fell away late thanks to that stomping incident. Matthew Stafford continues to shine and Calvin Johnson, well, he continues to be a freak as Detroit again will be a threat all over the field in 2012.

This divisional rivalry is starting to get serious, and that makes it a great game to watch.

No. 2 — New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

Take the two best offensive packages in the league and put them together, and you have a great match. They met in week one last year, and the Packers won on the final play—will that happen again? Can Drew Brees play on grass? Can he play outside? Find out in this match.

No. 3 — Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

They beat them for the playoffs two years ago. They beat them for the playoffs last year. And as far as the Packers are concerned, they took their trophy, their world championship, and their Super Bowl parade. And Aaron Rodgers missed Disneyland again, so this one will be fun.

Overall

As far as scheduling goes, you've got to say that this year is a tougher ask for the Packers. Their division is continuing to improve, and they've also got tougher matches—especially on the road.

Having said that, it won't phase Green Bay too much. They are a disciplined unit who will not forget their one real blemish in 2011 and will be doing everything they can to prevent that from happening again.

This is a genuine championship contender, and a team that will definitely be there come playoff time.

Just how far they'll go? For that, we'll have to wait and see.

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