GREEN BAY – Despite the loss in Denver and the difficult injury news that came with it, a postseason berth is within reach for the Packers this week.
The scenario is simple:
The Packers (9-4-1) need a win AND a loss by the Lions (8-6) to clinch a playoff spot.
That's it. That's all it will take.
Of course, a Green Bay win over Chicago (10-4) on Saturday night would also vault the Packers back into first place in the NFC North with two games remaining, and a division title would ensure a home game in the first round of the playoffs.
But a win coupled with a Detroit loss would guarantee the Packers no worse than a wild card no matter what would occur in the division race the rest of the way.
So in that vein, outside of the big showdown at Soldier Field, the most important game for the Packers' prospects in Week 16 has Pittsburgh (8-6) traveling to Detroit on Sunday.
Green Bay fans can become Aaron Rodgers fans again and root for their former QB to knock off the division-rival Lions.
As for the rest of the Week 16 slate, here are the games that could impact the Packers:
L.A. Rams (11-3) at Seattle (11-3) – The Thursday night clash is a huge one in the NFC West and the winner will have the inside track to the conference's top seed. That spot is all but out of reach for Green Bay now, but the loser here falls into the wild-card mix, which could affect the Packers' seeding if Green Bay doesn't win its division.
So the hope is the loser of this game would continue losing to hurt its wild-card position, and Seattle has a much tougher schedule the last two games (Carolina, San Francisco) than L.A. (Atlanta, Arizona). In the end it may not matter, but it would seem rooting for the Rams to beat the Seahawks is the call.
Philadelphia (9-5) at Washington (4-10) – On Saturday afternoon before Green Bay-Chicago kicks off, the Eagles can clinch the NFC East with one more win, but for playoff seeding, it would help the NFC North champ if Philly took another loss. So pull for the Commanders to upset the Eagles.
Tampa Bay (7-7) at Carolina (7-7) – This game is irrelevant as far as the Packers are concerned, because the winner takes control of the NFC South and the loser is eliminated from wild-card contention. If you have a preference as to whom you'd rather see win that division, go for it.
L.A. Chargers (10-4) at Dallas (6-7-1) – The Cowboys are hanging by a thread and would be officially eliminated from postseason contention with one more loss, so might as well cheer for the Chargers to knock out the Cowboys.
San Francisco (10-4) at Indianapolis (8-6) – Another obvious one, with the 49ers jockeying for playoff position as the (currently) third-place team in the NFC West but still a formidable contender. New Indy QB Philip Rivers almost stunned the football world in a close loss to the Seahawks last week, but keep rooting for him Monday night to see if the Colts can beat the Niners.
