Packers path to playoffs after Rams win, explained

Wait, can the Packers actually still make the postseason? Crazily enough, yes they can. Here’s how.

There likely won’t be a Green Bay Packers playoff game at Lambeau Field this season, but the reality of the Green and Yellow making the postseason is not completely dead… yet.

Thanks to all out ineptitude across the NFC, the Packers playoff hopes absolutely refuse to die, despite meaningful losses in recent weeks to the Lions, Titans, and Eagles that had the feel of must-win games to keep the playoff dream alive.

Last night would have been the real nail in the coffin, well, almost. The Packers playoff probability was at 6% per FiveThirtyEight before the game. A loss would have dropped their playoff chances to below 1% (but not zero!). Instead, the win over the Rams jumped them to 8%.

The odds are still marginal at best, but they exist and are rising.

So, how can they make the playoffs?

Here’s how the Packers can make the playoffs

Take a look at the updated playoff picture, here. The Pack is one game worse than the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks. They’ll need to jump above them and one more team to sneak into the final playoff spot.

Their best chance to do so is to leap the Lions, Seahawks, and Commanders (7-6-1) or Giants (8-5-1).

Green Bay’s remaining matchups are against the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions.

The Detroit game figures to be a must-win since it essentially counts as a double game in the Packers’ playoff pursuit.

But even if the Packers win out, they also need losses elsewhere. For reference, if the Packers win out, their playoff chances still are just 69%.

If the Giants and Commanders both lose-out, the Packers will make the playoffs if they win out. If the Giants and Commanders each win one game left and the Packers win out, their chances of making the playoffs are 88%.

If you want to see Green Bay in the playoffs, root against the Lions, Seahawks, Commanders and Giants. Oh, and don’t lose another game.

Easy, right?

Here is the Seahawks’ path to the playoffs. 

Here is the Lions’ path to the playoffs.