Week 18 is upon us, and the Green Bay Packers' playoff chances are firmly in their own hands. It's a "win and you're in" situation for Green Bay in a matchup featuring the NFL's oldest rivalry. Let's discuss the Green Bay Packers playoff chances and the Packers playoff scenarios heading into the final week of the season.
NFC Playoff Picture
The NFC Playoff picture is a bit less complicated than the AFC. The San Francisco 49ers will be the top overall seed, earning a bye. The NFC East winner will likely take the second seed. As of now, this is the Dallas Cowboys, while the Philadelphia Eagles sit in fifth. The Detroit Lions are third, while the NFC South winner will be fourth.
The one Wild Card team that has clinched the playoffs is the Los Angeles Rams. This means the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, who are all tied at 8-8, are fighting for the seventh seed, minus the team that wins the NFC South.
Let's take a look at the NFC Playoff picture. Remember, the top seven teams in the NFC Playoff standings are in, and winning the division rewards the team with a top-four seed.
*clinched the NFL Playoffs
San Francisco 49ers (12-4)*
Dallas Cowboys (11-5)*
Detroit Lions (11-5)*
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)*
Los Angeles Rams (9-7)*
Green Bay Packers (8-8)
Others in Wild Card Race | NFC Wild Card Standings
Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
New Orleans Saints (8-8)
Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
Packers Playoffs Chances
The Green Bay Packers' playoff chances are positive right now, and that's because their playoff scenario and destiny are in their own hands. A win in Week 18 means they make the playoffs, while a loss would require other teams to lose as well.
According to PFF, the Packers' playoffs chances sit at 63%. The ESPN Power Index views the Packers' odds to make the playoffs pretty identically, at 63.2%. This model also gives the Packers less than a 20% chance to win a playoff game this year. Let's take a look at the Packers' playoff scenarios.
The easiest way to make the playoffs is for Green Bay to defeat Chicago this weekend. There is no love lost between these two teams, and the Bears would love to play spoiler. If Chicago does win, Green Bay isn't officially ruled out. They would need the Vikings and Seahawks to lose, then either the Saints or Buccaneers to lose as well.
Can the Packers Make the Playoffs?
Can the Packers make the playoffs? The answer is absolutely yes! In fact, if the playoffs started today, Green Bay would be in the dance!
The Packers host the Bears on Sunday, and a win would clinch a playoff berth. However, a loss really hurts the Packers' playoff chances. They would then need the Vikings and Seahawks to lose, then either the Buccaneers or Saints would also need to lose in order for the Packers to make the playoffs.
Obviously, the Packers' road to the playoffs is in their own hands. You can bet on the Packers' playoff odds in either direction ahead of this weekend's matchup.
I'm still in WI for the game, flyin home after Love starts his 1st year ownership of the bears!!! He's gonna be spreadin' the ball to ALL the GB recievers! Can't wait for the game!!! 💚💛🧀🏆
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