GREEN BAY, Wis. — Wednesday night’s release of the NFL schedule gives all of us a chance to use our imaginations: How will this matchup play out? Which teams will disappoint? Which will be a pleasant surprise?

For what it’s worth, based on last year’s records, the Packers are tied for having the fourth-toughest schedule in the NFL.

In my view, the most difficult stretch starts with a home game against the San Francisco 49ers: The Packers have playoff rematch on Nov. 24. Then, a Thanksgiving night home game against the Miami Dolphins. Then, a trip to Detroit for a Thursday night game against the Lions, who are the defending division champions. Followed by a Week 15 Sunday night game against the Seahawks in Seattle on Dec. 15. I don’t care what the Seahawks’ record is. That’s a tough place to play.

The combination of a team on the rise and a franchise with broad national appeal will put the Packers in the spotlight many times. Every single game in the stretch detailed above, plus the Monday night home game on Dec. 23 against the New Orleans Saints, is scheduled to be seen nationally.

After the Packers’ strong finish last season, hopes are high for 2024. Who am I to dampen that now? Fire up that imagination. 

Just for the record, the Super Bowl is Feb. 9 in New Orleans, where the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI.