Packers receive an early Christmas gift that could dramatically change how the next few weeks unfold
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers beat the Detroit Lions, increasing the Packers’ chances of making the playoffs.
The Green Bay Packers suffered two consecutive devastating losses to the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears. Not only because of the results, but especially because of the insane amount of impactful injuries they have had to handle, including star edge rusher Micah Parsons, who’s out for the season with a torn ACL, and quarterback Jordan Love, who left the Bears game on Saturday with a concussion.
But not everything is bad news around Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers gave the Packers a huge early Christmas gift with a win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, and that result dramatically changes Green Bay’s outlook in trying to secure a roster spot.
Playoff scenarios
Had the Lions won the game, the Packers’ playoff chances would have dropped to 70%. They would have to win out against the Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings; otherwise, they would need a loss from the Lions in their final weeks against the Vikings and Bears.
Now, the Packers have a 94% chance of making the postseason, according to The Athletic‘s playoff prognosticator. One win over the Ravens or Vikings and Green Bay is in. The Lions have a 6% chance after going to the playoffs in each of the past two years.
While this isn’t the most likely scenario at this point, especially with an injured J.J. McCarthy, the Packers can step on the field on Saturday night with a clinched playoff berth. For that to happen, the Lions have to lose to the Vikings on “Thursday Night Football.”
NFC North race
With the comeback win over the Packers and the Lions’ loss to the Steelers, the Bears have already clinched a playoff berth. Additionally, they have a 92% chance of winning the NFC North for the first time since 2018. They need one win in the final two weeks, over the San Francisco 49ers or Detroit Lions, to clinch the division.
If the Bears lose out, though, the Packers would still have a chance of winning the division if they run the table.
The most likely scenario, though, is that the Packers end up with the seventh seed to face the Bears at Soldier Field once again.
Those final two weeks of the regular season will be intense, but Rodgers made it much more palatable for the Packers.
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