NFL Playoffs 2016: 5 reasons the Green Bay Packers will make it
By John Buhler
![Dec 11, 2016; Green Bay, WS, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is pressured by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril (56) during the quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK Dec 11, 2016; Green Bay, WS, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is pressured by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril (56) during the quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/7847df9690833dff1b4dbf5a60f7c6caad3ecad2cad6adbced3d502513b054eb.jpg)
The Green Bay Packers are 7-6 and two games back of the 9-4 Detroit Lions in the NFC North. Here are five reasons Green Bay makes the 2016 NFC Playoffs.
The 2016 NFL season has certainly been an exciting one. There are only three weeks left in the 2016 NFL season with still so many playoffs spots in both conference up for grabs. One of those races to keep an eye on is the NFC North between the Detroit Lions (9-4) and the Green Bay Packers (7-6).
While the Minnesota Vikings are 7-6, they aren’t likely to win the division because they were swept in the season series with Detroit. Green Bay defeated Detroit in this previous meeting and will play each other in Week 17 at Ford Field. Detroit may have a two-game lead over the Packers, but here are five reasons it will be Green Bay that wins the 2016 NFC North crown.
5. Green Bay finally has its health
The Packers have won three games in a row after ending its four-game skid. Green Bay has forced its way back into the NFC Playoffs conversation at 7-6 through Week 15. So what’s changed for the Packers? If it’s been anything, it’s that the Packers finally have their health.
For Green Bay to succeed, the Packers need to be as close to full strength as possible. Green Bay doesn’t take part in NFL free agency, preferring to build its team through the draft. This leaves Green Bay with many developmental projects coming through draft picks.
In short, it leaves Green Bay particularly vulnerable when its veteran players are not suiting up on Sunday. The Packers don’t have the horses to keep pace in the next-man-up world of the NFL.
That being said, Green Bay is getting healthy when everybody else is getting hurt down the home stretch. The Packers lost a few battles in the middle of the season in the hopes of winning the 2016 war when it matters in December.
Green Bay’s defense is getting better. The Packers have at least a marginal running game. A little bit of improvement across the board helps quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy exponentially. They’re immensely talented at what they do. They’ve got this, thanks to the Packers getting healthy at the right time.