The Green Bay Packers aren’t quite playoff-bound, but they are close.
Four regular-season games remain. While it would require a miracle for the Packers to win the NFC North, they can still overtake the Minnesota Vikings for the fifth seed. It could be the difference between visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Philadelphia Eagles in Round 1.
The Packers have nine wins on the board, and one more may be enough to clinch a playoff berth. But what comes next? Who would Green Bay face in the wild-card round, and how far can Matt LaFleur’s team go in the playoffs?
Spoiler alert: If you don’t wish to know how the Packers’ season ends, do not read any further.
This game has all the ingredients for a disappointing Packers performance and frustrating loss. The Packers aren’t great long-distance travelers—under Matt LaFleur, they are 3-4 on West Coast trips (including playoffs) and 0-2 in international games. It doesn’t help that LaFleur called playing in Seattle a “chore.”
Seattle has a ton of momentum, having won four in a row, and needs a win more than Green Bay. The Seahawks are in a close NFC West battle with the Los Angeles Rams, while the Packers can afford to lose and still make the playoffs.
The Packers have struggled to stop anything in the middle of the field, which is where Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba dominates. That could be a problem.
Meanwhile, Green Bay has lost its past four games in Seattle, including the game we must not mention. In fact, the home team has won the past nine matchups in this rivalry.
Factoring in all of the above, it feels like it could be one of those games for LaFleur’s team.
Prediction: Loss (9-5)
Week 16: Packers vs. Saints (MNF)
The good news is they will get the perfect opportunity to bounce back on Monday Night Football against a Saints team that has lost eight of its past 11 games and could be without quarterback Derek Carr.
New Orleans’ defense ranks 30th in total yards allowed per game, 28th in passing yards, and 25th in rushing yards. The Saints will have nothing to play for when they visit Lambeau Field on a cold evening. The Packers might have the opportunity to clinch a playoff berth with a win.
Prediction: Win (10-5)
History will repeat itself from last year. In 2023, the Vikings came to Lambeau Field and handed the Packers a 24-10 loss. The offense had struggled to find any kind of rhythm early in the season, but it all changed by the time they met at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 17. Toyotathon was in full effect, Jordan Love was on top of his game, and the Packers destroyed the Vikings 33-10.
This season, Minnesota came to Lambeau in Love’s first game back from a sprained MCL. He didn’t look healthy, throwing three picks in a 31-29 loss. The Vikings led 28-0 at one stage.
But things are changing. The Vikings have won six in a row, but they benefitted from a soft schedule, as those opponents all have losing records at a combined 28-50. More importantly for the Packers, Love is healthy and looks back to his best, having thrown six touchdown passes with one pick over the past four weeks.
It won’t be as easy as last year, but the Packers find a way to beat the Vikings.
Prediction: Win (11-5)
Week 18: Packers vs. Bears
It’s the Bears.
Prediction: Win (12-5)
By our calculations, the fifth-seeded Packers head to Raymond James Stadium for a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Oh, you can bet LaFleur will have revenge on his mind. We haven’t forgotten about the NFC title game heartbreaker at Lambeau Field. Must. Stop. Painful Scotty Miller versus Kevin King flashbacks. To make matters worse, Baker Mayfield earned a perfect passer rating at Lambeau Field last season.
It’s time for revenge.
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Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Mayfield is still making plays—his 3,329 passing yards rank fifth in the NFL, and his 28 touchdown passes are third. And who can blame Baker for trusting his playmakers when he has Mike Evans on the receiving end?
Don’t be fooled by the Bucs’ average 7-6 record. They are the only team with a victory over the Detroit Lions this season (on the road, no less), and they also destroyed the Philadelphia Eagles. The positive news? They are inconsistent, and so is Mayfield. For all the good, he gives defenses opportunities. Per PFF, Mayfield has 20 turnover-worthy plays, and he has thrown 13 picks and fumbled a league-high 12 times.
All Xavier McKinney needs is one chance. Love could also find success against the Bucs’ 30th-ranked passing defense, leading the Packers to a close road victory.
Prediction: Win
Divisional Round: Packers at Eagles
The season ends where it started, with the Packers meeting the Eagles. While Green Bay came close to beating Philadelphia in Brazil, that game doesn’t reflect well on either team. It was Week 1, and the slippery surface provided the biggest takeaway in a sloppy game for both NFC contenders.
Can the Packers beat the Eagles? Of course. But it’s hard to predict that against a team that has won nine straight since beginning 2-2. Philadelphia has picked up impressive road wins over the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams, and Cincinnati Bengals.
The Packers have stopped the run well, but do they have enough defensive talent to stop Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley on the ground and Hurts, AJ Brown, and DeVonta Smith through the air? Philadelphia also has the No. 1-ranked defense, thanks in part to the additions of Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell.
Outside of a rematch against the Detroit Lions, the Eagles present the Packers’ toughest potential playoff opponent.
The Packers might still be a season away. With significant dead money coming off the books in 2025, GM Brian Gutekunst has the flexibility to add more star power in free agency before hosting the draft in April. This is the youngest roster in the NFL, and big things are coming, but they will likely fall short of their goal in January.
