The Green Bay Packers are 6-8 and entering Week 16 with an eight percent chance of making the postseason, per FiveThirtyEight. Matt LaFleur’s team is coming off a win over the lowly Los Angeles Rams but now faces a much tougher test in the 8-6 Miami Dolphins.
This year it will be Christmas in Miami, and the Packers need to win out to have a shot at the playoffs. However, even that won’t be enough, as they will need some help along the way.
Right now, Green Bay is still chasing the Giants, Commanders, and Seahawks, and two of the three (New York and Washington) have the head-to-head tiebreaker. However, another team in the mix is the Lions, who are 7-7 and have a head-to-head win over the Packers as well.
So, here’s the quick rooting guide for Week 16:
– Vikings over Giants
– 49ers over Commanders
– Chiefs over Seahawks
– Panthers over Lions
If Green Bay wins and gets the first three results, their playoff chances increase to 25 percent. It’s a sizable jump and means the Packers would be on a three-game win streak after beating a quality opponent. If the Giants, Commanders, and Seahawks win, their chances decrease to five percent, even with a win over Miami. Also, if the Lions win, it drops down another percent.
The Packers could also use a win from the Cowboys over the Eagles to help increase the chances of Week 18 meaning something to both clubs. The two teams play the Giants and Commanders.
Obviously, Green Bay needs to worry about the opponent at hand first. The Dolphins are currently trying to snap a three-game losing streak, and they have an explosive offense that could cause problems for the Packers’ defense. However, a win would mean Green Bay is gaining momentum heading into a tough matchup against a divisional foe.
Next week, the Packers will face the Vikings, who have already clinched the NFC North. A win this week would certainly boost their confidence and give them something to play for. Minnesota won the first meeting but hasn’t swept the regular season series since 2017.
Will Green Bay get some help this weekend and keep the door open for the postseason? Or will the Packers be all but eliminated come next week?
