Crucial 3-game stretch will define the Packers’ 2025 playoff hopes after a confidence-building win keeps their NFC push alive
Green Bay will play three consecutive NFC North games starting on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
Look at the NFC North standings, and you will surprisingly see the Chicago Bears first, Green Bay Packers second, and Detroit Lions third. But according to The Athletic‘s playoff projections, that scenario isn’t precisely reflected on the teams’ chances of making the postseason.
That happens because the Bears have a tough remaining schedule, including games against the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and two against the Packers.
Right now, the Packers have a 76% chance of making the playoffs after beating the New York Giants. But the path isn’t easy, because Green Bay is tied with Chicago for the most challenging remaining schedule — the rest of the slate includes teams with a .592 winning record. Green Bay has a 37% chance of winning the NFC North.
NFC North playoff chances
- Detroit Lions 84%
- Green Bay Packers 76%
- Chicago Bears 44%
- Minnesota Vikings 3%
Divisional slate
The Packers enter a curious sequence now. Of the final seven games of the regular season, there are five divisional games — the Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions is the only one the Packers have faced so far. Outside of the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens matchups, it’s all NFC North.
It starts next week against the Minnesota Vikings, on Thanksgiving against the Lions, and then versus the Chicago Bears.
If the Packers win these three games, their chances of making the playoffs jump to 98%. If they lose all three, it goes to 19%. There’s nuance, but these next three games will likely determine the team’s future.
Green Bay has a 76% chance of making the playoffs, and it goes up to 83% with a win or down to 60% with a loss to the Vikings on Sunday. In Week 12, losses from the Lions to the New York Giants and from the Bears to the Pittsburgh Steelers would also be helpful.
It’s not the easiest path for the Packers, and they gave up their margin for error by losing manageable games to the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers, and also tying with the Dallas Cowboys. Now, it’s time to compensate for that, or things will get tough soon.
Green Bay Packers News
Packers get welcome payoff from overlooked offseason decision that now looks like one of their smartest choices of 2025
Christian Watson signed a contract extension back in the offseason, and now he’s consolidated himself as a reliable and efficient piece of the offense.
