Packers’ 2026 Opponents Set: A Heavyweight Slate Awaits Jordan Love and Company
The 2026 NFL schedule release is still a few months away, with dates and kickoff times expected in early May. But we already know who the Green Bay Packers will be lining up against-and let’s just say, it’s not a cakewalk. After a 2025 campaign that ended with a playoff berth and a rollercoaster rivalry showdown against the Bears, Jordan Love and the Packers are staring down a gauntlet of high-powered offenses, new head coaches, and some familiar faces.
Here’s what stands out: Green Bay will face six teams that reached the postseason in 2025, including a road trip to Foxborough to take on the reigning AFC champion New England Patriots. The Packers will square off against every team in the AFC East and NFC South, and they’ll also see three squads led by newly hired head coaches-including a very familiar one in Miami.
Let’s break it down, starting with the home games.
Lambeau Field Showdowns
Buffalo Bills (12-5 in 2025)
Josh Allen returns to Lambeau for the first time since his rookie year in 2018.
And this time, he’s bringing the NFL’s fourth-ranked offense with him. The Bills are under new leadership after a coaching change this offseason, but Allen’s dual-threat ability and big-play arm remain the heartbeat of the team.
Green Bay’s defense will need to be sharp-this isn’t the same Buffalo team that came to town eight years ago.
Miami Dolphins (7-10)
Here’s a storyline Packers fans will circle in red: Jeff Hafley, Green Bay’s former defensive coordinator, is now the head coach in Miami. Hafley returns to Lambeau in Year 1 of his new gig, and while the Dolphins are still retooling after a down year, this matchup carries emotional weight-and maybe a little extra motivation on both sidelines.
Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)
The Cowboys bring fireworks, plain and simple.
Dak Prescott leads an offense that finished second in the league last season, and their last meeting with the Packers was an instant classic-a 40-40 tie in Dallas. Now, the rematch shifts to Green Bay, where the Packers will try to slow down one of the league’s most explosive passing attacks.
Carolina Panthers (8-9)
The Panthers make a return trip to Lambeau after edging the Packers 16-13 last season.
That loss still stings for Green Bay, and you can bet they’ll be looking to settle the score. Carolina’s a team in transition, but they’ve shown they can grind out close wins-and that’s exactly what they did last time.
Atlanta Falcons (8-9)
Kevin Stefanski takes over in Atlanta, bringing his offensive-minded approach to a team looking for identity. The Falcons finished below .500 in 2025, but with a new coach and a visit to one of the NFL’s most iconic stadiums, this one could be a sneaky-good matchup.
Houston Texans (12-5)
This will be a serious test for Jordan Love and the Packers’ offense.
Houston boasted the league’s No. 1-ranked defense last season, led by linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. The Texans are making their second trip to Lambeau in three years, and they’re not just good-they’re physical, fast, and disruptive.
Expect a chess match between Green Bay’s offensive line and Houston’s front seven.
Road Warriors: Packers’ Away Games
New England Patriots (14-3)
Circle this one.
Green Bay heads to Foxborough to face the reigning AFC champs and a young star in quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots had the third-best offense in the league last season, and Gillette Stadium is never an easy place to play.
This will be the Packers’ first trip there since 2018, and it comes with major playoff-caliber energy.
New Orleans Saints (6-11)
The Packers head back to the Caesars Superdome for the first time since 2020.
Tyler Shough is now under center for the Saints, who are coming off a tough season but still boast a defense that can make things difficult. Dome games can get loud, and this one will test Green Bay’s communication on both sides of the ball.
Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
Another high-octane offense awaits.
The Rams finished with the NFL’s top-ranked offense in 2025, led by Puka Nacua and Davante Adams-yes, that Davante Adams. This will be the fifth time in six years these two teams meet in the regular season, and with Super Bowl 61 set to be played in L.A., this game could be a preview of something bigger.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
Baker Mayfield and the Bucs await in Florida.
Tampa Bay’s record may not jump off the page, but they’ve played spoiler before, and Mayfield’s never short on confidence. The Packers will need to handle the heat-literally and figuratively-on this road trip.
New York Jets (3-14)
It’s been a tough stretch for the Jets, who finished with just three wins last season.
But MetLife Stadium hasn’t always been kind to visiting teams, and the Packers haven’t played there since 2018. Garrett Wilson remains a bright spot for New York’s offense, and if Green Bay isn’t careful, this could be a trap game.
Divisional Rivalries: NFC North Battles
Chicago Bears (11-6, two games)
This rivalry is as heated as ever.
The Packers and Bears split their two regular-season meetings in 2025-both decided in dramatic fashion-before meeting a third time in the wild-card round, where Chicago mounted a stunning comeback. Last season, these teams didn’t face off until December, then played three times in just over a month.
Buckle up-this one’s going to be personal.
Detroit Lions (9-8, two games)
Green Bay swept Detroit last year, including a Thanksgiving Day win at Ford Field-their second Turkey Day victory over the Lions in three years.
The Packers will look to keep that momentum going, but Detroit’s roster remains deep and dangerous. Expect another hard-fought pair of games in this divisional rivalry.
A Look Ahead
Nine home games. Eight on the road.
Six playoff teams. The top six offenses from last season.
Three new head coaches. The Packers’ 2026 schedule is loaded with talent, storylines, and potential turning points.
Jordan Love will have the spotlight squarely on him as he looks to build on a breakout 2025 campaign, and the defense will be tested early and often.
Green Bay isn’t sneaking up on anyone anymore. This schedule proves it-they’re in the thick of the NFL’s elite now. And if they want to take the next step, they’ll have to earn every inch of it.