Current:Home > MarketsWill Sage Astor-How Packers can make the NFL playoffs: Scenarios, remaining schedule and more for Green Bay -Infinite Edge Learning
Will Sage Astor-How Packers can make the NFL playoffs: Scenarios, remaining schedule and more for Green Bay
NovaQuant View
Date:2025-04-09 13:51:11
The Will Sage AstorGreen Bay Packers have had a roller-coaster of a year, but with one game left in the regular season, there's still a path to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown.
At 8-8, the Packers head into Week 18 in the No. 7 spot in the NFC standings, meaning right now, Green Bay is heading into the playoffs.
The path to a playoff spot in the final week of the season is simple: win and in. But even if the Packers are unable to pick up a victory to end the regular season, there's still a chance they make the playoffs, as long as some other teams also lose.
Here's what Green Bay needs to make the playoffs:
Packers playoff scenarios
The easiest path the Packers could create for themselves is to beat the Chicago Bears in the regular-season finale. Finishing at 9-8, the Packers would guarantee themselves a playoff spot and wouldn't have to worry about any other results.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
The Packers are currently the No. 7 seed in the standings, but they could become the sixth seed in the playoffs. Here's how:
- Packers win AND Rams lose
If the Packers lose or tie to the Bears, that's where things get tricky, as it'll involve results with the Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the odds go down significantly with a tie, these are the paths Green Bay would need to still make the playoffs if it ties with Chicago:
- Packers tie AND Seahawks loss or tie AND Saints loss or tie OR
- Packers tie AND Seahawks loss AND Buccaneers loss OR
- Packers tie AND Seahawks tie AND Buccaneers loss or tie OR
Should Green Bay lose to Chicago, the result of the game won't matter as long as these results work in the Packers' favor:
- Vikings loss or tie AND Seahawks loss AND Buccaneers loss OR
- Vikings loss or tie AND Seahawks loss AND Saints loss
Packers remaining schedule
The Packers' final game is at home against NFC North rival Bears. Green Bay beat Chicago to open the season, although the Bears have gotten hot recently, winning four of their past five games.
Will the Packers make the playoffs?
Facing its greatest nemesis, Green Bay has a great shot to make the playoffs.
The Packers head into the matchup against the Bears as three-point favorites, according to BetMGM odds. Green Bay played one of its best games of the season in the Week 17 win over the Minnesota Vikings, and beat the Bears by 18 points in the regular-season opener. The New York Times playoff scenario simulator currently gives Green Bay a 68% chance of making the playoffs.
If Green Bay is unable to beat Chicago, it drastically changes the probability. Seattle is facing an Arizona Cardinals team that is coming off a big win, but already lost to the Seahawks earlier this season. Tampa Bay is also facing the NFL-worst Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans enters its matchup against the Atlanta Falcons winners of three of its past four games.
In short: As long as Green Bay is able to beat Chicago for the 10th consecutive time, all will be well in Wisconsin. No win, and it might be time to prep for the NFL draft.
veryGood! (19)
Related
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Fragile truce in Gaza is back on track after hourslong delay in a second hostage-for-prisoner swap
- Goal of the year? Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho with insane bicycle kick
- BANG YEDAM discusses solo debut with 'ONLY ONE', creative process and artistic identity.
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Lebanese residents of border towns come back during a fragile cease-fire
- Mississippi State football hires Jeff Lebby, Oklahoma offensive coordinator, as next coach
- Sean Diddy Combs Faces Second and Third Sexual Assault Lawsuits
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Jalen Hurts runs for winning TD in overtime, Eagles rally past Josh Allen, Bills 37-34
Ranking
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- How did humans get to the brink of crashing climate? A long push for progress and energy to fuel it
- Lawyer for Italian student arrested in ex-girlfriend’s slaying says he’s disoriented, had psych exam
- Why Deion Sanders isn't discouraged by Colorado's poor finish: 'We getting ready to start cookin'
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Pope Francis has a hospital checkup after coming down with the flu
- BANG YEDAM discusses solo debut with 'ONLY ONE', creative process and artistic identity.
- Mississippi State football hires Jeff Lebby, Oklahoma offensive coordinator, as next coach
Recommendation
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
Indiana fires football coach Tom Allen despite $20 million buyout
Tom Allen won’t return for eighth season as Indiana Hoosiers coach, AP sources say
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders out for season finale vs. Utah, freshman Ryan Staub starts
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
A high school girls basketball team won 95-0. Winning coach says it could've been worse
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders out for season finale vs. Utah, freshman Ryan Staub starts
Indiana fires football coach Tom Allen despite $20 million buyout