Packers have early chance to show
they've fixed their issues against NFC North opponents
[September 04, 2025]
By STEVE MEGARGEE
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay has a chance to fix its recent
divisional woes right from the start of the season.
The key for the Packers is a faster start.
Green Bay went 1-5 against NFC North opponents last season for its
worst divisional record in nearly two decades.
The Packers, who finished 11-7 last season, open their season Sunday
by hosting the two-time defending NFC North champion Detroit Lions.
“Our performance against every team in the NFC North wasn’t good
enough, wasn’t up to our standards,” quarterback Jordan Love said
Wednesday. “That’s definitely something that’s lingered with us
throughout the offseason. It’s always a point that we focus on, is
trying to go out there and win the NFC North. It starts with that.”
Green Bay’s divisional struggles in 2024 represented a sharp
contrast from how the Packers have usually fared within the
division. The Packers were 22-8 in NFC North games during coach Matt
LaFleur’s first five seasons.
The Packers’ 2024 divisional record was their worst since 2005, when
Green Bay also went 1-5 in the NFC North and finished 4-12 overall.
Green Bay’s problems in divisional games were easy to explain. While
they started fast against just about everyone else, they fell behind
early virtually every time they faced an NFC North team.
The Packers were outscored 99-40 in the first half of their six
divisional games. They trailed at halftime in all of them. In their
other 11 regular-season games, they outscored opponents 192-89
before halftime.
“Getting off to a fast start, I think, is critical when you’re
playing against a really good football team,” LaFleur said.
That certainly hasn’t happened lately against the Lions, who have
gone 6-2 in this series under Dan Campbell and have won each of the
past three times they’ve visited Green Bay.
Detroit led 17-3 at halftime in a 24-14 win at Lambeau Field last
season. In the rematch at Detroit, the Lions led 17-7 at the half
and went on to win 34-31. The Packers have preached the importance
of starting faster this time around.
“Anytime you’re going against a team who has a really good offense
and also a good defense, it’s paramount,” Love said. “You’ve got to
start off with a hot start, put some points up, because if you get
behind an offense like that, you’ve got to be putting up points in a
hurry to keep up with them.”
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Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks for a play during
the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Seattle
Seahawks Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike
Roemer)
The Packers managed to rally from the 10-point
halftime deficit and take a 28-24 lead in the fourth quarter at
Detroit last season, but they couldn’t slow down the Lions’ offense.
Jake Bates won the game for Detroit by kicking a tiebreaking 35-yard
field goal as time expired.
In other divisional games, the Packers couldn’t dig their way out of
their early holes. They fell behind 28-0 at home against Minnesota
and eventually fell 31-29 even as Love threw for 389 yards and four
touchdowns.
Love also threw three interceptions in that game, which leads to
another reason for Green Bay’s recent divisional troubles.
The Packers didn’t win the turnover margin in any of their six NFC
North games last season. In those six games, they had a combined 10
turnovers and seven takeaways. They totaled 24 takeaways and nine
turnovers in their other 11 regular-season games.
“Defensively, we’ve got to make a game-changing play in some facet
to be able to get the ball out,” LaFleur said. “I think we had one
interception in the two games (with Detroit) last year.”
Now the Packers have a chance to reverse all the trends that led to
their demise in divisional games last season.
“It’s about time we get back on top of the North,” wide receiver
Jayden Reed said. “So yeah, it’s definitely personal for us, just
starting off the season with a North opponent.”
NOTES: Love continues to practice with a brace and tape on his
surgically repaired left (non-throwing) thumb. Love, who had the
surgery last month, said the brace and tape shouldn’t limit him at
all. He expects to be able to execute handoffs with his left hand. …
Reed (foot) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) didn’t practice
Wednesday. Defensive end Micah Parsons (back), safety Zayne Anderson
(knee), center Elgton Jenkins (hip), defensive lineman Barryn
Sorrell (knee) and wide receivers Dontayvion Wicks (calf) and Savion
Williams (hamstring) were limited practice participants.
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