The Green Bay Packers usually have lofty expectations heading into a season, but the hopes for the 2025 season reached a higher hype point than usual when the team traded for Micah Parsons last week.
However, if the Packers are going to make the kind of run expected by a passionate fan base after a move like this, they'll at least need to win most of their divisional games.
That didn't happen last season. The Packers won only one of six games against NFC North opponents, giving the team no chance at hosting at least one game in the playoffs.
They can start to change that trend Sept. 7, when they host the NFC North champion Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field.
While Parsons and quarterback Jordan Love are expected to play, both are recovering from injuries entering the NFL's opening weekend.
Here's the Packers-Lions game at a glance:
The Packers open the 2025 season against the Lions at Lambeau Field at 3:25 p.m. Sept. 7.
TV Channel: CBS (Channel 58 in Milwaukee and Channel 5 in Green Bay)
The game is available on the CBS and CBS Sports apps through your television carrier and Paramount+ with a subscription to the streaming service. Also, Fubo has a free trial for new subscribers.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday
Parsons, the star edge rusher who was acquired last week from the Dallas Cowboys, is practicing, but the Packers will almost certainly be cautious with him and his snap count because he's recovering from a back injury. Parsons wants to play often, but understands why the Packers will likely limit his reps in Week 1.
"I know once I get out there, I'm just going to want to go. That was the first thing, they were just like, 'We've got to see how your body is.' Because at the same time, I do have to get healthy. I do have to do all those little things to make sure there's a longevity piece in this."
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To protect his surgically repaired left thumb, quarterback Jordan Love has been using his right hand to deliver the ball to his running backs.
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After sitting out the padded practice Sept. 3, cornerback Nate Hobbs and receiver Jayden Reed practiced for the first time since sustaining their injuries during training camp.
Coach Matt LaFleur said both sat out the padded practice because they had been rehabbing every day and a day off was part of the plan for them to return.
"We didn't want to go so many consecutive days in a row," LaFleur said. "I mean, they've been working around the clock pretty much."
Hobbs underwent surgery Aug. 2 to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and Reed has been out with a foot injury since Aug. 7.
Rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa returned to practice Sept. 4. Running back Sione Vaki and linebacker Trevor Nowaske did not.
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The Packers lost both games with the Lions last season, including a 34-31 defeat at Ford Field in Detroit on Dec. 5, 2024.