Only 12 hours after the Washington Commanders 2022 schedule was released, I was receiving a text this morning from a friend who lives in Wisconsin.
Not even one full day and the first Green Bay Packer fans are already looking to invade Fed ExField. You can mark it down today, May 14, 2022, they will invade FedEx Field in October.
Why? Well, we learned last night during the schedule release, that the Commanders have a home game at FedEx Field, hosting the Green Bay Packers on October 23 at 1 p.m.
My Wisconsin friend texting me this morning is indicative of the Packer fans in general. They also serve as a reminder of the fervor of Washington fans that I recall vividly some 30 years ago.
Can you blame them? Packer fans are first of all proud of their franchise. Did you know in the last decade (2010-2019) the Packers won 10+ regular-season games seven of those 10 seasons?
Washington? They won 10 games only once in the decade (10 in 2012). Robert Griffin then determined he knew more than Mike and Kyle Shanahan, refusing to run the offense that made him a one-year NFL success, got the Shanahans fired, and even sabotaged his own career, never to experience NFL success again.
Packer fans no doubt hear how for the last decade Washington season ticket holders have been on the decline, leaving all sorts of seats open to opponents fans to come cheer on their team against Washington.
Listen, I just want the nfl schedule to be released so I can plan my entire last half of the year around when the Packers come to play the Commanders and the World Cup.
— Chaserbaser94 (@ChaserBaser94) May 6, 2022
Thirdly, Packer fans have seen head coach Matt LaFleur raise the bar even more for the Packers. LaFleur’s teams have won 13 games in each of his three regular seasons (2019-21). As a result “the cheese heads” expect nothing less than another division title in 2022.
Packer fans also don’t have the repeated discouragement resulting from an owner who more times than we would like to recall, has brought bad news to the franchise.
Thus, Green Bay fans want to select a road game to travel, and my Wisconsin friend is simply another example of a supportive Packers fan base encouraged that Washington would be a good destination on October 23.
Packers fans are already doing their research early, making their destination plans for the fall and will be soon purchasing tickets and hotel reservations.
Consequently, even if the Commanders are out to a great start with a 4-2 record, FedEx Field is going to witness much green in the stands on October 23 at 1 p.m.