With about half of the NFL season in the books, it’s time for some teams to solidify their standing as contenders, while others are looking to rebound from adversity and get hot down the stretch.
Unlike in the three other major pro sports leagues, strength of schedule is a major factor in pro football, and some teams, whether fans want to admit it or not, have gotten the short end of the stick from the schedule makers.
These two teams will really have to provide themselves, as they will have a difficult schedule from here on out.
1. Green Bay Packers
Before the season started, there was a lot of hype around the Green Bay Packers, especially when it came to their defense.
But that defense hasn’t turned out to be that stout, and their offense has been even worse.
Things went from bad to terrible for Green Bay when they lost to the Detroit Lions, one of the worst teams in the league, in Week 9, 15-9, and dropped to a 3-6 record.
Defense delivers the dub 🙅♂️#GBvsDET 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/phKIRYmDB7
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 6, 2022
If Aaron Rodgers and company will turn things around and make the playoffs, they will have their work cut out for them.
They will face the 6-2 Dallas Cowboys this weekend, and they will have just three days of rest before taking on Derrick Henry and the 5-3 Tennessee Titans.
The following week, they will play the currently undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, with games against the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings coming up later.
2.New England Patriots
If the New England Patriots are going to make the playoffs for the 18th time in the last 20 seasons, they will have to do so the hard way.
Bill Belichick’s crew has its bye week this week, but after that, will face the 6-3 New York Jets, then the Vikings, who are currently 7-1, and then the first-place Buffalo Bills in Week 13.
New England will then close out its schedule with the Dolphins in Week 17 and the Bills again in Week 18.
