How the NFC Playoff Picture changed for Packers without them even playing

The Green Bay Packers were off for Week 14, but most of their NFC Wild Card opponents played. Here’s how things shook out.

A week off could do the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers some good.

Despite a come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Bears two Thursdays ago, Rodgers has been dealing with a lingering rib injury all season long. A week off surely helped Rodgers heal, and gave No. 12 a chance to decide if the Packers lingering playoff hopes were enough to force him back into action.

After Week 14, here’s how Green Bay’s postseason picture looks. Per 538, the Packers have just a six percent chance at making the playoffs after Week 14. That…isn’t ideal, but it’s likely enough to keep Rodgers on the field, as he previously said he wouldn’t consider sitting in favor of Jordan Love until the Packers are mathematically eliminated.

NFC Playoff Picture: Can Packers make the postseason?

Green Bay, at 5-8, are 2.5 games behind the New York Giants and Washington Commanders for the final playoff spots in the NFC. New York and Washington play in Week 15, so that ought to help matters.

However, the bad news is that for the Packers to make the playoffs, they essentially need to win out (or at least three of four), and have the majority of teams in front of them lose out or lose all but one game. This includes one of the Giants/Commanders, the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions.

Based on the respective teams schedules, that doesn’t seem possible:

Washington Commanders schedule

• Week 15: New York Giants (7-5-1)
• Week 16: San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
• Week 17: Cleveland Browns (5-8)
• Week 18: Dallas Cowboys (10-3)

New York Giants schedule

• Week 15: Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
• Week 16: Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
• Week 17: Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1)
• Week 18: Philadelphia Eagles (12-1)

Seattle Seahawks schedule

• Week 15: San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
• Week 16: Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)
• Week 17: New York Jets (7-6)
• Week 18: Los Angeles Rams (4-9)

Detroit Lions schedule

• Week 15: New York Jets (7-6)
• Week 16: Carolina Panthers (5-8)
• Week 17: Chicago Bears (3-10)
• Week 18: Green Bay Packers (5-8)

Green Bay Packers schedule

• Week 15: Los Angeles Rams (4-9)
• Week 16: Miami Dolphins (8-5)
• Week 17: Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
• Week 18: Detroit Lions (6-7)

The Lions easily have the weakest schedule out of the bunch. If Green Bay can miraculously make it to the final weekend of the season with a chance at postseason contention, that alone can signal some sort of victory.