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The dates of the 2012 NFL schedule have officially been released and the Green Bay Packers have a much easier path to the postseason than others. 

Of course, getting through the tough NFC North will be no easy task, but some of the out of conference games will be a piece of cake. 

In addition to playing their regular division games, the Packers will play the teams from the NFC West and AFC South. 

Aaron Rodgers and company are hoping to get back to the Super Bowl once again, and it's no secret they have what it takes. 

That being said, here's the break down of Green Bay's 2012 schedule. 

Schedule according to NFL.com

Week 1 9/9: Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers 4:15 p.m. EST, FOX

Week 2 9/13: Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears 8:20 p.m. EST, NFL Network

Week 3  9/24: Green Bay Packers @ Seattle Seahawks 8:30 p.m. EST, ESPN

Week 4  9/30: Green Bay Packers vs New Orleans Saints 4:15 p.m. EST, FOX

Week 5  10/7: Green Bay Packers @ Indianapolis Colts 1 p.m. EST, FOX

Week 6 10/14: Green Bay Packers @ Houston Texans 8:20 p.m. EST, NBC

Week 7 10/21: Green Bay Packers @ St. Louis Rams  1 p.m. EST, FOX

Week 8  10/28: Green Bay Packers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars 1 p.m. EST, CBS

Week 9 11/4: Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals 1 p.m. EST, FOX

Week 10 : BYE

Week 11 11/18: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions 1 p.m. EST, FOX

Week 12 11/25: Green Bay Packers @ New York Giants 8:20 p.m. EST, NBC

Week 13 12/2: Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings 1 p.m. EST FOX

Week 14 12/9: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions 8:20 p.m. EST, NBC 

Week 15 12/16: Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears 1 p.m. EST, FOX

Week 16 12/23: Green Bay Packers vs. Tennessee Titans 1 p.m. EST, CBS

Week 17 12/30: Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings 1 p.m. EST, FOX

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Analysis 

Green Bay's biggest concern in 2012 is just getting through the division. Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota all continue to get better, which makes life much harder for the Packers.

The NFC North is one of, if not the, toughest division in the NFL. It is of grave importance each time the Packers line up to play a division foe.

Playing the NFC West and the AFC South shouldn't cause too many problems for Green Bay. A couple of the most interesting matchups, though, are seeing how the Packers fare against the Houston Texans and the San Francisco 49ers.

Both of those teams will use the game against Green Bay to measure how good they are, and each contest should be very exciting.

Most Pivotal Matchup 

Even though the division games are extremely crucial for the Packers in 2012, the most pivotal matchup is against the defending Super Bowl champs, the New York Giants in Week 12. 

The Packers were so dominant a year ago, but when facing the Giants in the playoffs, they looked completely off. Now they get a chance for revenge and redemption, so look for that game to be extremely intense. 

The Giants will be facing heat throughout the season since they're the reigning champs, but beating the Packers again will show everyone that they're the real deal and should be feared by everyone in the NFL.

Of course, Rodgers and his offense will have something to say about that, which will make for an incredible game.