Current:Home > InvestHow Packers can make the NFL playoffs: Scenarios, remaining schedule and more for Green Bay-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
How Packers can make the NFL playoffs: Scenarios, remaining schedule and more for Green Bay
View Date:2024-12-24 21:08:22
The Green Bay Packers have had a roller-coaster of a year, but with one game left in the regular season, there's still a path to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown.
At 8-8, the Packers head into Week 18 in the No. 7 spot in the NFC standings, meaning right now, Green Bay is heading into the playoffs.
The path to a playoff spot in the final week of the season is simple: win and in. But even if the Packers are unable to pick up a victory to end the regular season, there's still a chance they make the playoffs, as long as some other teams also lose.
Here's what Green Bay needs to make the playoffs:
Packers playoff scenarios
The easiest path the Packers could create for themselves is to beat the Chicago Bears in the regular-season finale. Finishing at 9-8, the Packers would guarantee themselves a playoff spot and wouldn't have to worry about any other results.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
The Packers are currently the No. 7 seed in the standings, but they could become the sixth seed in the playoffs. Here's how:
- Packers win AND Rams lose
If the Packers lose or tie to the Bears, that's where things get tricky, as it'll involve results with the Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the odds go down significantly with a tie, these are the paths Green Bay would need to still make the playoffs if it ties with Chicago:
- Packers tie AND Seahawks loss or tie AND Saints loss or tie OR
- Packers tie AND Seahawks loss AND Buccaneers loss OR
- Packers tie AND Seahawks tie AND Buccaneers loss or tie OR
Should Green Bay lose to Chicago, the result of the game won't matter as long as these results work in the Packers' favor:
- Vikings loss or tie AND Seahawks loss AND Buccaneers loss OR
- Vikings loss or tie AND Seahawks loss AND Saints loss
Packers remaining schedule
The Packers' final game is at home against NFC North rival Bears. Green Bay beat Chicago to open the season, although the Bears have gotten hot recently, winning four of their past five games.
Will the Packers make the playoffs?
Facing its greatest nemesis, Green Bay has a great shot to make the playoffs.
The Packers head into the matchup against the Bears as three-point favorites, according to BetMGM odds. Green Bay played one of its best games of the season in the Week 17 win over the Minnesota Vikings, and beat the Bears by 18 points in the regular-season opener. The New York Times playoff scenario simulator currently gives Green Bay a 68% chance of making the playoffs.
If Green Bay is unable to beat Chicago, it drastically changes the probability. Seattle is facing an Arizona Cardinals team that is coming off a big win, but already lost to the Seahawks earlier this season. Tampa Bay is also facing the NFL-worst Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans enters its matchup against the Atlanta Falcons winners of three of its past four games.
In short: As long as Green Bay is able to beat Chicago for the 10th consecutive time, all will be well in Wisconsin. No win, and it might be time to prep for the NFL draft.
veryGood! (95)
Related
- The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
- Raven-Symoné Reveals Why She's Had Romantic Partners Sign NDAs
- What is watermelon snow? Phenomenon turns snow in Utah pink
- Senate investigation argues FBI, DHS officials downplayed or failed to properly share warnings of violence on Jan. 6
- Inflation ticked up in October, CPI report shows. What happens next with interest rates?
- Delaware State Sen. Sarah McBride launches bid to become first openly trans member of Congress
- Launched to great fanfare a few years ago, Lordstown Motors is already bankrupt
- Was a Federal Scientist’s Dismissal an 11th-hour Bid to Give Climate Denial Long-Term Legitimacy?
- The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
- Robert De Niro Reacts to Pal Al Pacino and Girlfriend Noor Alfallah's Baby News
Ranking
- Study finds Wisconsin voters approved a record number of school referenda
- American Climate Video: A Pastor Taught His Church to See a Blessing in the Devastation of Hurricane Michael
- Jenna Dewan Pens Sweet Message to Her and Channing Tatum's Fierce Daughter Everly on 10th Birthday
- How New York Is Building the Renewable Energy Grid of the Future
- Don't Miss Cameron Diaz's Return to the Big Screen Alongside Jamie Foxx in Back in Action Trailer
- Supreme Court sets higher bar for prosecuting threats under First Amendment
- Not Just CO2: These Climate Pollutants Also Must Be Cut to Keep Global Warming to 1.5 Degrees
- Trump Demoted FERC Chairman Chatterjee After He Expressed Support for Carbon Pricing
Recommendation
-
Ranked voting will decide a pivotal congressional race. How does that work?
-
Trump’s ‘Energy Dominance’ Push Ignores Some Important Realities
-
Brie Larson's Lessons in Chemistry Release Date Revealed
-
The Bachelorette's Andi Dorfman Marries Blaine Hart in Italy
-
All Social Security retirees should do this by Nov. 20
-
Gender-affirming care for trans youth: Separating medical facts from misinformation
-
Rachel Hollis Reflects on Unbelievably Intense 4 Months After Ex-Husband Dave Hollis' Death
-
Biden promises internet for all by 2030