From a pipe dream, the Green Bay Packers playoff chances turned into a realistic scenario. Over the last two weeks, the Packers chances of reaching the postseason went from 9% to 50%, and now it makes sense for Green Bay fans to watch other games around the league with that perspective in mind.

While the NFC North title is highly unlikely, the focus for the Packers is the NFC wild card race. The bigger competitors at this point are all NFC South teams, except for the Carolina Panthers, plus Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and Minnesota Vikings.

Right now, the Falcons lead the NFC South, so it doesn't affect the situation as much. However, as they play an AFC team, it's better if they lose. The Vikings are in a bye week.

Check out the games that impact the Packers playoff chances in week 13, according to the New York Times tool.

Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys, Thursday Night Football

The Seahawks got in a difficult situation with the recent losses and a tough schedule coming up. The first challenge is the Dallas Cowboys. Mike McCarthy's team is also in the NFC wild card race, but they are well ahead of everybody else. So if the Cowboys win on Thursday, the Packers will have a 52% chance of reaching the playoffs. If the Seahawks pull off the upset, the chances go down to 48%. It's time for Packers fans to support their old head coach.

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints, 12pm CT

If the Packers were still dreaming about a division title, the story would be different. But the priority is the wild card spot, so it's better if the Lions beat the Saints in New Orleans. With a Lions win, the Packers chances go to 52%, versus a 48% chance with a Saints win.

Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets, 12pm CT

The Falcons are not directly involved in the wild card race at the moment because they lead the division. But there's no guarantee they will keep the lead in the South, so it's better if they lose as well. The problem here is the Packers draft capital, as they have the Jets' second-rounder in 2024, but that's a small difference if compared to a potential playoff spot. The Packers go to the playoffs in 52% of the simulations in which the Jets win, and 49% when the Falcons win.

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3:05pm CT

This one is not a big difference because, one, most of the simulations made by New York Times give the Bucs a win. So if they do win, the Packers situation stays the same. However, it helps a little bit if the Panthers pull off the upset, upgrading Green Bay's chances to 51%. Getting in the way of the Chicago Bears draft capital would be an additional benefit.

Cleveland Browns at Los Angeles Rams, 3:25pm CT

This is the game of the week outside of their own for the Green Bay Packers. It's a six percentage-point swing, because the Rams are mathematically the Packers' biggest competitor. If the Rams win, the Packers chances go down to 48%. But if the Cleveland Browns (potentially playing with Joe Flacco at quarterback) win, Green Bay will have a 54% chance of getting to the postseason.

Packers playoff chances have a big boost after week 12

Green Bay has a 50% chance of making the postseason