No one wants to endure a midseason slump, but it's not a death knell to a team that takes care of business in its division games. The Packers have one of those potentially tough stretches to navigate – four road games in a span of five, beginning in late October – but having the Week 11 bye break it up will certainly help.

That's yet another reason to start strong, that cluster of road games that begins with a trip to AFC runner-up Kansas City in Week 8.

After the opener at Chicago, the Packers will play five of their next six games at home, including two in prime time. It's a run that screams of opportunity for new Head Coach Matt LaFleur to get the team rolling the right way in the season's first half.