Analyst Declares Green Bay Packers As Winners Of 2026 NFL Schedule Release

Matt Brown
Green Bay Packers helmet

The Green Bay Packers didn’t just get their 2026 schedule on Wednesday — they also picked up some national praise. In NFL.com’s annual “Winners and Losers” breakdown of schedule release week, analyst Eric Edholm listed the Packers among the biggest winners, pointing to a combination of favorable structure, marquee matchups, and the league’s clear confidence in Green Bay as a primetime draw.

It’s not often the schedule itself earns a team this kind of recognition, but the Packers’ layout for 2026 stands out in several ways.

Green Bay Packers: A Schedule Built for Momentum

One of the biggest reasons Edholm labeled the Green Bay Packers winners is the way their schedule flows. Green Bay avoids long stretches of brutal opponents, and the toughest games are spaced out in a way that allows the team to reset and regroup.

“If Matt LaFleur is facing any pressure this season, perhaps a softer early slate can help. The Packers open with three of four on the road, but that trio of games with the Vikings, Jets and Falcons isn’t necessarily the most daunting gauntlet.

It might be hot in Tampa in Week 4, but the Packers return home for four of the next six games at Lambeau. They also draw late-season games in Green Bay against the Bills (Week 14), Dolphins (Week 15) and Texans (Week 17), with some serious snow potential for those three. At the very least, the last two opponents are warm-weather teams who could be unaccustomed to winter temps.

There are some drawbacks to the Packers’ schedule, such as six prime-time games and several short-week outings. But they catch a few breaks, too, with extra time to prepare for the Thanksgiving Eve game coming off a Week 11 bye and having five of those night games in Green Bay. As the Packers try to hold serve with the Bears and fend off the pesky Lions and Vikings, their schedule appears to shake out pretty nicely for them.“

For a team built around a young core, rhythm matters — and this schedule gives them a chance to build it.

The NFL Clearly Sees the Packers as Must‑Watch TV

Another point Edholm emphasized: the Packers are becoming one of the league’s most marketable teams again. Jordan Love’s breakout, Matt LaFleur’s consistency, and a roster full of ascending talent have made Green Bay a reliable ratings draw.

That’s why the NFL slotted them into:

The league doesn’t hand out those spots lightly. It’s a sign of trust — and a sign that the Packers are viewed as a team on the rise.

A National Analyst Echoes What Packers Fans Already Feel

The Green Bay Packers have been trending upward for two seasons, and now the schedule reflects that momentum. Being named a “winner” of schedule release week doesn’t guarantee anything in the standings, but it does show how the league — and national analysts — view Green Bay heading into 2026.

A young, exciting team. A quarterback ready for the spotlight. And now, a schedule that sets the stage for another step forward.

Matt is one of the owners at Total Apex Media. He is an avid sports & pop culture fan who has been writing for various outlets over the past four years.