The Green Bay Packers lost two in a row and saw their playoff chances go down dramatically. Even so, they are still in the NFC wild card race and now, more than ever, they need help from other teams to reach the postseason.

If the Packers win out against the Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears, they have a 94% chance of getting in, so they still depend pretty much on themselves. One loss and it's all mostly over.

However, the competition is significant. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West; the Vikings in the NFC North; and all NFC South, except for the Carolina Panthers, are fighting for two wild card spots. The first one is already secured by whoever doesn't win the NFC East between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles.

In week 16, the biggest matchup for the Packers outside of their game against the Panthers is an NFC North clash between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers can't reach the Lions anymore, so Green Bay fans will root for Detroit to secure the division title, hindering Minnesota's chances.

Interestingly, the Chicago Bears game doesn't impact much according to the New York Times playoff simulation tool. Even though they are still technically in the hunt, the chances are too small for their game against the Arizona Cardinals to make a difference for Green Bay.

The fan interest for the Packers starts on Thursday, with an important Saints-Rams game, and goes until Monday, to a lesser degree, expecting a New York Giants loss.

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams, Thursday Night Football

The Rams are one of the biggest contenders for an NFC wild card spot. So, even though the Saints are in the race as well, it's better if New Orleans wins. The Packers would have a 25% chance with a Saints win, and a 22% chance with a Rams win. Curiously, both teams are 7-7.

Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, 12pm CT

The Falcons are 6-8 just like the Packers, so it's a direct competition on the second tier behind the Vikings, Rams, Saints, and Seahawks. As they are going to face an AFC team, it is obviously better if the Colts win. It's not a big swing because the Falcons' chances are slim, but the Packers go to a 24% chance with an Indy win, and 23% with an Atlanta win.

Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 12pm CT

The Seahawks got back into contention with their win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, so it would be important if they lost this one. A Titans win would put the Packers at a 25% chance of reaching the playoffs, and it's 22% if the Seahawks win.

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 12pm CT

The Packers can't reach the Lions for the division title anymore, so it's much better if Detroit secures their first NFC North title (yes, the last time they won, the division was still called the NFC Central), leaving the Vikings behind, only in the wild card race. This is the biggest swing of the week for the Packers: 26% if the Lions win, 20% if the Vikings win.

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, 3:30pm CT

This is not a big one, because the Eagles are already in the playoffs, and the Giants are almost eliminated. But as New York is not completely out of the equation, it makes a slight difference: 24% if the Eagles win, 23% if the Giants pull off the upset.

Packers have to be something they haven’t to make the playoffs

Green Bay saw their chances go down after two losses