GREEN BAY -- The NFL just released its 2009 regular-season schedule mere moments ago -- the league's attempt at a Selection Sunday-style TV show is still airing on the NFL Network as we type this -- but here's an early game-by-game look at the 17 weeks the Green Bay Packers' have ahead of them:

Sept. 13               CHICAGO BEARS               7:30 p.m.              

New Bears quarterback/savior Jay Cutler makes his regular-season debut against his new team's longtime nemesis at Lambeau; will Cutler's (and Brett Favre's) agent, Bus Cook, make an appearance?

Sept. 20               CINCINNATI BENGALS     Noon     (Gold pkg.)

Bengals visit Green Bay for the first time since 1995 and only the second time since Packers' last-minute 24-23 victory in Sept. 1992 launched the Kitrick Taylor ... er, Brett Favre, legend.

Sept. 27               at St. Louis Rams               Noon

Fifth meeting in last seven years between the teams will feature Rams' fifth full-time or interim head coach over that span: new boss Steve Spagnuolo.

Oct. 5                    at Minnesota Vikings               7:30 p.m.            (Monday Night Football)

Kicker Mason Crosby's wide-right boot last November at the Metrodome besmirched McCarthy's perfect 5-0 record against ex-UW assistant Brad Childress.

Oct. 11                  BYE WEEK

Oct. 18                  DETROIT LIONS                          Noon

Toothless Lions' last visit to Lambeau ended their perfectly imperfect 0-16 campaign. New uniforms, new coach, new approach ... or same ol' Lions?

Oct. 25                    at Cleveland Browns               Noon

Even if the Browns lose, ex-New York Jets coach Eric Mangini can always brag to Packers GM Ted Thompson that Brett Favre liked him more.

Nov. 1               MINNESOTA VIKINGS                     Noon

Bitter rivals have terrific running game with Adrian Peterson and run-stuffing defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams -- who'll be back from their four-game suspensions, even if they aren't overturned on appeal -- but QB remains the question: Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels?

Nov. 8               at Tampa Bay Buccaneers               Noon

Return trip to home of the end-zone pirate ship offers QB Aaron Rodgers another chance at victory -- if he can avoid another dislocated throwing shoulder.

Nov. 15             DALLAS COWBOYS                           3:15

T.O.-less 'Boys look to for third victory in three years after 2007 triumph in Big D and last year's Week 3 victory in alleged playoff preview which -- shockingly -- didn't include a playoff team.

Nov. 22             SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS                Noon

Tough old Bears LB Mike Singletary now runs the 49ers' show; could this one take on the grudge-match vibe of yesterday, a la Ken Stills-Matt Suhey or Charles Martin-Jim McMahon?

Nov. 26               at Detroit Lions               11:30 a.m.              

Nothing says Thanksgiving tradition like Packers-Lions, who'll face off for the 19th time on the holiday; this marks the fourth time since 2001 that the two clubs have spent Turkey Day together, with Detroit owning an 11-6-1 advantage in the all-time series.

Dec. 7               BALTIMORE RAVENS                 7:30 p.m.            (Monday Night Football)

Rodgers' first extended regular-season playing time came in Baltimore in 2005; Packers hope they (48-3 blowout loss on Monday Night Football) and Rodgers (8-of-15, 65 yards, one interception, three sacks and two lost fumbles, the second returned for a TD) fare better this time.

Dec. 13             at Chicago Bears                     Noon

Recent trips to Windy City have not been kind to Packers, whose lone victory at Soldier Field spaceship was meaningless regular-season finale over Super Bowl-bound Bears in '06. McCarthy's 2-4 mark is his worst vs. an NFC North rival.

Dec. 20            at Pittsburgh Steelers               Noon

Pack faces a reigning Super Bowl champ for first time since 2003; coach Mike McCarthy's "real" homecoming after exhibition game last year.

Dec. 27             SEATTLE SEAHAWKS               Noon

No more "Big Show:" Jim Mora hopes to lead Hawks to better record in Year 1 A.H. (After Holmgren) than Ray Rhodes' 8-8 Pack in 1999.

Jan. 3                at Arizona Cardinals                    3:15 p.m.

Regular-season finale trip to Valley of the Sunstroke follows August exhibition game against defending NFC champs; Kurt Warner's back, but will wideout Anquan Boldin be?