Packers playoff hopes are back, but it's still a tough road
The Green Bay Packers need to win out to make the playoffs, and they took the first important step on Sunday, beating the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, 33-30. The other results around the NFL were mixed, though. The Minnesota Vikings losing to the Detroit Lions 30-24 helped a lot — now, both the Packers and […]
The Green Bay Packers need to win out to make the playoffs, and they took the first important step on Sunday, beating the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, 33-30.
The other results around the NFL were mixed, though. The Minnesota Vikings losing to the Detroit Lions 30-24 helped a lot — now, both the Packers and the Vikings are 7-8, as well as the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons.
On the other hand, the Seattle Seahawks overcame a halftime deficit to beat the Tennessee Titans 20-17, improving to 8-7 alongside the Los Angeles Rams. Right now, both NFC West rivals are getting the final two wild card spots. And the aforementioned Falcons beat the Indianapolis Colts 29-10, improving to 7-8.
The first NFC wild card spot is already out of the equation — it goes to the Dallas Cowboys or Philadelphia Eagles, whomever doesn't win the NFC East. So there are two spots left.
The Packers have two games left to play in the regular season, and they need to win both to have a realistic shot at getting into the postseason. The next challenge is against the Vikings, on Sunday Night Football next week.
“Everything is at stake,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said after the game in Charlotte. “We're going into a great environment next week in Minnesota, against a really good football team. It's gonna be a great challenge. We prepare for it all year, every day, every week. We'll be excited about that opportunity.”
After the Vikings game next Sunday, the Packers finish the season against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field in week 18. Even winning out, they aren’t guaranteed to make the playoffs, though.
As the Rams and the Seahawks are ahead in the standings, at least one of them has to lose games to put the Packers into contention. The good news is that the Rams face the San Francisco 49ers in week 18, a difficult matchup, and the Seahawks have a tough game against the Pittsburgh Steelers next week.
NFC wild card race — games left
Los Angeles Rams: @ Giants, @ 49ers
Seattle Seahawks: vs Steelers, at Cardinals
Green Bay Packers: @ Vikings, vs Bears
Minnesota Vikings: vs Packers, @ Lions
New Orleans Saints: @ Buccaneers, vs Falcons
Atlanta Falcons: @ Bears, @ Saints
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