The Green Bay Packers will have five prime-time games in 2014, starting with the NFL opener in Seattle to face the defending champion Seahawks on Sept. 4.
It’s the third straight season the Packers have traveled to face the defending Super Bowl champions.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity for our football team,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “We have experience playing in the kickoff opener three years ago, and we will draw on that. Obviously, being the visiting team this time presents new challenges. It will help sharpen our focus even more during training camp and the preseason.”
The last time Green Bay visited CenturyLink Field was in Week 3 of the 2012 season, a 14-12 Seahawks victory clinched on what now is often dubbed the “Fail Mary.” Russell Wilson’s desperation pass on the final play was called a touchdown reception for Golden Tate by the replacement officials.
A few days later, the lockout of the regular officials ended.
McCarthy wants no memories of that game.
“This game won’t be about the past,” he said. “It will be about the 2014 Green Bay Packers.”
Green Bay also has a high-profile match-up at Lambeau Field against the Patriots on Nov. 30, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The Packers’ home opener is in Week 2 on Sept. 14 against the New York Jets.
Green Bay plays four of its first six games on the road. The bye week comes Nov. 2 in Week 9 before the Packers close with five of their last eight at home. The season finale is Dec. 28 at Lambeau against Detroit.
The NFL announced the schedule Wednesday. Prime-time games are subject to the flexible scheduling policy that allows the league to move around late-season games.
For the first time, games in Weeks 5 through 10 can be flexed from Sunday afternoon to night, with a limit of two. Beginning with Week 11, a Sunday game can be moved to prime time each week.
Also, a select number of Sunday afternoon games are being “cross-flexed,” moving between CBS and Fox to potentially draw more viewers.
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