The Green Bay Packers’ road to a third consecutive NFC North division title in 2013 will be more treacherous than the one they traveled this season.
This year, Packers' opponents finished with a combined record of 129-125-2 (.508 winning percentage), and six of those teams made the playoffs.
Next year, their opponents, owners of a combined 136-119-1 record (.533), will include six teams that made the playoffs in 2012.
The NFC North is matched up with the NFC East and AFC North. Significantly, the Packers will have a tough home game against the Atlanta Falcons, the conference’s top seed this season, as well as difficult road games against the second-seeded San Francisco 49ers and a third straight matchup at the New York Giants.
Packers 2013 schedule
Home: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Atlanta, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington
Away: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, New York Giants, San Francisco
Follow Packers reporter James Carlton on Twitter: @CBSPackers and@jimmycarlton88.