Packers Fan Sunday Rooting Guide: Which outcomes in Week 13 actually help Green Bay, and one is particularly surprising
Four games have the potential to help the Packers’ playoff chances on Sunday.
The Green Bay Packers played and won in Week 13 on Thursday against the Detroit Lions, so Packers fans can have full peace of mind to watch the Sunday slate grabbing a cold beer, eating some wings, and discussing with Chicago Bears fans on social media — okay, that last part is not that necessary.
But that doesn’t mean the Sunday games won’t matter for Green Bay. We used The Athletic‘s playoff prognosticator to understand which outcomes are better for the Packers on Sunday.
What’s better for the Packers
Cleveland Browns over San Francisco 49ers
Because the Packers may fight with the 49ers for a wild-card spot in the NFC, it makes sense to root for an AFC opponent. A 49ers win would drop the Packers’ chances from 94 to 93 percent.
Minnesota Vikings over Seattle Seahawks
That’s not an easy one, but a Vikings win is actually better — that’s the surprising element of this list. Minnesota is pretty much out of contention, and Seattle might very well fight for a wild-card spot — since the Los Angeles Rams are more likely to win the NFC West. So a Seahawks win also decreases the Packers’ chances to 93 percent.
Pittsburgh Steelers over Buffalo Bills
Packers fans will have the opportunity to root for Aaron Rodgers once again. Because Green Bay beat Pittsburgh, the strength of schedule and victory could help. It’s also a one percent swing.
Los Angeles Chargers over Las Vegas Raiders
This one is way more obscure, but it has to do with the strength of schedule of potential competitors for wild-card spots. It’s a one percent swing.
Big week ahead
Next Sunday, the Packers play a huge NFC North game against the Chicago Bears. A win at Lambeau Field increases Green Bay’s chances to 97 percent, and a loss drops them to 82 percent. More than that, the swing to win the division goes from a 76 percent chance with a win to 30 percent with a loss.
Jordan Love and the Packers need two more wins to basically secure a playoff spot, but the competition to win the NFC North for the first time since 2021 will demand much more effort until the end.
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