What do the Green Bay Packers need to get a playoff spot? Chances and options
Aaron Rodgers believed they could pull off a miracle, and the Green Bay Packers might just achieve one. Here’s what the team needs to make the playoffs.
It looked like the Green Bay Packers were on their way out of playoff contention but they have managed to stay alive with a Christmas win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season.
The Packers stay alive
The week couldn’t have turned out better for Green Bay- all the teams they were competing against to clinch a postseason berth lost: the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions and New York Giants all fell, gaining the Packers a game.
They are now level with the Lions in the NFC North with a 7-8 card after notching three straight victories.
On the brink of elimination
Just three weeks ago, they were given a 3-5% chance of making the playoffs. But due to the results of the last few weeks, their chances of advancing to the postseason have increased to 29% (from 15% last week) according to The New York Times playoff simulator.
Green Bay has two games left to play: their Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, and the Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions. They can move on to the playoffs if they win both games and the Commanders lose and drop to 7-7-1, or if the Giants are defeated twice and sink to 8-6-1.
Here is how the updated playoff picture looks like for the NFC.
| TEAMS | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) | Secured playoff spot |
| Minnesota Vikings (12-3) | Secured NFC North division title |
| San Francisco 49ers (11-4) | Secured NFC West division title |
| Dallas Cowboys (11-4) | Wild card, secured playoff spot |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) | Lead NFC South |
| New York Giants (8-6-1) | Wild card |
| Washington Commanders (7-7-1) | Wild card |
| Seattle Seahawks (7-8) | In the mix |
| Detroit Lions (7-8) | In the mix |
| Green Bay Packers (7-8) | In the mix |
| Carolina Panthers (6-9) | In the mix |
| New Orleans Saints (6-9) | In the mix |