Many Green Bay Packers players told the media prior to the 2023 NFL season that they expected to win the NFC North and return to the playoffs. Last year, the Packers finished 8-9 and missed out on the seventh and final spot in the NFC playoffs in Aaron Rodgers’ final season as the starting quarterback. While Jordan Love’s 2023 season was expected to be one of learning and growth, the team was still expected to return to the postseason.
For a while, it did not appear to be the case. The Packers were 2-5 and rapidly fading after losing four straight games. They have won three of their last four games, thanks to Love and his rookie pass catchers demonstrating the growth and chemistry that everyone expected.
he Packers are fortunate in that the rest of the NFC is mediocre this season. With 5-6 records, the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints are tied for the NFC South lead (with Atlanta holding the tie-breaker).
After the Seattle Seahawks’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Green Bay Packers may be able to enter the NFL Playoffs.
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The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Seattle Seahawks in a thrilling game on Thursday night, led by former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. This outcome has a direct impact on Green Bay’s playoff chances.
On the one hand, the Cowboys improved to 8-3, extending their lead over the NFC’s first Wild Card spot. With a 10-1 record, the Philadelphia Eagles lead the NFC East.
The result, on the other hand, dropped the Seahawks to 6-6 and into the seventh and final spot in the NFC Playoff picture. The Minnesota Vikings are in sixth place with a 6-6 record. They have the tiebreaker over Seattle because they have a better record against NFC opponents.
If the Packers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night, they will improve to 6-6 and leapfrog the Seahawks in the playoff standings. This is because Green Bay would have a higher conference winning percentage than Seattle.
Because the Vikings are on bye this week, the Packers’ best chance this week is to secure the final playoff spot.
Other Teams to Keep an Eye on in the Standings for the Green Bay Packers
The New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams are both 5-6. However, the Packers defeated both teams this season, giving them the tie-breaker advantage. Given their similar records, Green Bay will be watching how they perform for the rest of the season.
The Packers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field on December 17, and they are one game behind them with a 4-7 record.
If the Saints take the lead in the NFC South and the Falcons finish with the same record as the Packers, Atlanta will have the tiebreaker because they won their Week Two matchup.
The Packers, on the other hand, have an easy path to the playoffs: win and they’re in. That will be a difficult task with the defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City visiting, but the rest of their schedule after this week is favorable, with games against the New York Giants, Tampa Bay, Carolina Panthers, Vikings, and Bears.
