NFL Playoffs 2016: 5 reasons the Green Bay Packers will make it
By John Buhler
3. Packers’ three remaining games are all winnable and in the division
The way that the Packers’ 2016 NFL season shook it out would have them play all three of their NFC North rivals in succession to close out the year. Green Bay has a road date with the Bears in Week 15, the Vikings at home in Week 16, and on the road against the Lions in Week 17.
Not only are these all divisional games to help the Packers in potential tie-breaking scenarios, but these are all very winnable games for the Packers. Chicago is trotting out Matt Barkley at quarterback the rest of the season. The Bears are a miserable 3-10 and Green Bay should destroy them in Soldier Field.
Green Bay lost earlier in the season to Minnesota at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. That loss has to still sting for many members on the Packers. Everybody was jumping on the Vikings bandwagon in September. Look for Green Bay to rebound and put the Vikings in their place with a big Week 16 victory to essentially knock Minnesota out of the NFC Playoffs.
Finally, Week 17’s road game against the Lions could be for all the marbles in the NFC North. If Green Bay is only one-game worse that Detroit in the NFC North standings entering Week 17, a win on the road over the rival Lions would clinch the division for the Packers. The Packers could win the NFC North by completing the season sweep of the Lions.
Realistically, Green Bay needs to win its next three games to finish at 10-6 on the year and 4-2 in the NFC North to win the division. A 10-6 mark would at least get the Packers a Wild Card spot, depending on how the Atlanta Falcons, the New York Giants, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finish their seasons. At 9-7, Green Bay could get in as the No. 6 seed, but would have to fend off the Washington Redskins, too.