Packers fan guide: Who should you root for on Sunday and Monday?

One of the best feelings for an NFL fan is to enjoy a football Sunday without suffering with their team, especially after a win on Thursday. That's the case for Green Bay Packers fans this weekend. The team beat the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, dramatically improved their playoff chances, and now fans can watch games […]

Wendell Ferreira NFL News Writer
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Justin Fields
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

One of the best feelings for an NFL fan is to enjoy a football Sunday without suffering with their team, especially after a win on Thursday. That's the case for Green Bay Packers fans this weekend. The team beat the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, dramatically improved their playoff chances, and now fans can watch games throughout Sunday without many reasons for concern.

But if you are a Packers fan and still want to test your heart, many Sunday games have implications for Green Bay's playoff chances. So, here's the guide to who you should root for.

Saints at Falcons, 12pm CT

According to the New York Times playoff simulation tool, the Packers will have a 45% chance of getting to the postseason with a Saints win, and a 43% chance if the Falcons win. That happens because the Saints lead the NFC South, so it's better if they run away with the division, killing the wild card competitors. The Falcons are in the wild card race, and the impact is significant.

Buccaneers at Colts, 12pm CT

The NYT tool gives the Packers a 45% chance if the Colts win, and 43% if the Bucs do. This is an easy one, because Tampa Bay is in the wild card race, and Indianapolis is an AFC team. Rooting against a former divisional rival shouldn't be hard for Packers fans.

Rams at Cardinals, 3:05pm CT

The NYT tool gives the Packers a 45% chance if the Cardinals win, and 43% if the Rams do. That's because Los Angeles is closer to Green Bay's record, and are pretty much alive in the wild card race. The Cardinals are basically fighting for a higher draft pick, but it helps the Packers if Kyler Murray can pull this one off.

Impactful Monday

While there are three important games for the Packers on Sunday, Monday Night Football is the biggest one. No other game has a deeper swing of chances for Green Bay as the NFC North matchup with the Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings.

And that's because the Vikings are seen in simulations as the biggest Packers competitor for the NFC’s seventh seed. If the Vikings win, the Packers chances go down to 42%. If the Bears win, they go up to 47%. No other game comes close to such a significant impact.

Buckle up, Packers fans, it's time to root for Justin Fields against Josh Dobbs.