The Green Bay Packers are entering the much-needed bye week at 6-3 overall in 2024. Their record includes a full sweep of the AFC South (4-0) and a 2-0 start against the NFC West, but also two disappointing defeats at home to top rivals in the NFC North.
Eight games remain for the Packers, who are currently in third place in the division but also in possession of the final wildcard spot in the NFC playoff race.
The Packers need to get healthy during the off week. Jordan Love injured his MCL early in the year and is playing through a groin injury, Josh Jacobs battled through an ankle issue last week, Jaire Alexander has missed two games with different injuries this season, Elgton Jenkins and Kenny Clark have both played through lingering injuries all season and Josh Myers and Evan Williams both missed last week’s loss with injuries. No player is 100 percent after nine weeks in the NFL, and the bye week will give everyone a chance to heal up and get ready for the stretch run.
Coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers will do projects during the bye week with the aim of rediscovering the magic that fueled last year’s incredible run to the postseason.
Last year, the Packers were 3-6 after nine games. A 6-2 finish propelled LaFleur’s team into the playoffs as one of the NFL’s hottest teams, and it took some bad luck late in San Francisco to miss out on a trip to the NFC Championship Game.
The Packers are in much better shape at the midway point in 2024, but can the LaFleur’s recreate the magic during the second half once again? The best teams in January are usually the hottest teams. The Packers have the talent to go far, but they need to be playing their best football soon.
Playoff chances
The current New York Times projection has the Packers at a 69 percent chance of making the postseason entering Week 10.
Packers remaining schedule in 2024
| Week | Team | Record | DVOA | PFF grade |
| 11 | at CHI | 4-4 | 23 | 21 |
| 12 | vs. SF | 4-4 | 5 | 3 |
| 13 | vs. MIA | 2-6 | 27 | 26 |
| 14 | at DET | 7-1 | 1 | 1 |
| 15 | at SEA | 4-5 | 18 | 11 |
| 16 | vs. NO | 2-7 | 21 | 27 |
| 17 | at MIN | 6-2 | 4 | 8 |
| 18 | vs. CHI | 4-4 | 23 | 21 |
Schedule breakdown
Nine wins looks like something close to the worst-case scenario. The Packers still play three of the best teams in the NFL, but there’s a good chance they’ll be favored to win at least five of the final eight games. Can the Packers get at least two wins in their first three games coming out of the bye and be at least 8-4 going into Detroit to start December? Last year, a big win at Ford Field helped the Packers go from a young and spunky underdog to legitimately scary contender. Maybe a similar path lies in front of this year’s team. The guess here is the Packers win three of their final four home games and two of their final four road games and finish 11-6 — which will almost certainly mean a wildcard spot and a road game to open the postseason.
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— The Packers Wire (@ThePackersWire) November 5, 2024
