For the Green Bay Packers to get to where they want to, which is winning the NFC North, having home playoff games, and ending up in Santa Clara in early February, a key will be how well they do in their five AFC games.

Going back to late 2023, the Packers are 7-0 in their last seven AFC games. This includes a 5-0 record against the AFC South and the Miami Dolphins last season. For Green Bay, it was the first undefeated record against the AFC since the 2007 season, which ended with an appearance in the NFC Championship game.

The Packers enter Sunday’s game in Cleveland as 7.5-point favorites, coming off two impressive wins over the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, both teams who made the playoffs in 2024. The last two times the Packers opened a season with two home wins (1998, 2001), they were able to come away with a road win and a 3-0 start.

Packers vs AFC Under Matt LaFleur (Since 2019)

Sunday’s matchup with the Browns features two of the NFL’s top defenses. The game features the first (Browns, 383) and third ranked (Packers, 476) defenses in yards, and the two units in yards per play (Packers, 3.7; Browns, 3.8). The Packers tied for second in the league with eight sacks, the Browns are tied for 8th with six sacks.

The difference for the two teams entering the game is scoring defense. The Packers are 4th in the league in scoring defense, allowing just 31 points so far. The Rams (28), Falcons (29) and Chargers (30) are the top three scoring defenses.

Despite having the league’s top defense in yards, they have allowed 58 points, which is tied for 25th in the NFL after two weeks. They are tied with their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens.

Expect the Packers to play more base defense in Week 3https://t.co/hMhTv0OFHa

— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) September 16, 2025

The meeting with Cleveland is the first since 2021, when the Packers beat the Browns 24-22 on Christmas Day. The only Packers player on Sunday who also started in that 2021 game is Rashan Gary, signaling major roster turnover in the last four years.

Elgton Jenkins was on injured reserve at the end of 2021 and Jordan Love was Aaron Rodgers’ backup.

Keys for Sunday

1. Defense’s Pass Rush

The Packers defense has proven itself to be a terrifying unit for opposing offenses. Last year, in a week 3 game at an AFC opponent who’s offense was struggling, the Packers defense racked up eight sacks. Can the pass rush continue its strong pace to start the season against veteran Joe Flacco?

2. Offensive Line Depth

A key storyline for the next two weeks will be the health of the Packers offense. Will the Packers have Zach Tom and/or Aaron Banks on Sunday? Or will the trio of Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton and Darian Kinnard be needed to play the majority of the snaps at left guard and right tackle.

I watched all of Matthew Golden's snaps from the Commanders game & wrote about it. The numbers aren't there but he's looking really good! https://t.co/cKEipsgJ2N

— Dusty (@DustyEvely) September 16, 2025

3. Replacement for Reed

The other key injury for the offense is Jayden Reed. How will Matt LaFleur replace the team’s 2024 leader in both receptions and receiving yards? Last Thursday, rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams were both given carries on reverses and designed runs. Will that continue to be a focal part of the gameplan? And which wide receivers and/or tight ends be used in the slot position in both 11 and 12 personnel formations. This could be a week that either Golden or Luke Musgrave be featured in Reed’s old position.