Week 17: Packers’ journey to the playoffs continues this week. This has been an improbable run for the Packers. Last week, I wrote an article titled the Packers’ Journey to The Playoffs that laid out each scenario that could take place for the Green Bay Packers to make a playoff run. The scenario that I proclaimed the best possible scenario actually played out before our eyes, thus, the improbable run continues for the Green and Gold.
So what does that mean for Week 17? What has to happen to continue the best case scenario? What has to happen just in case the Packers lose to the Vikings? I’m breaking this week’s Packers’ Journey to the Playoffs into seven segments discussing each game important (or somewhat important) to the Packers.
Week 17 Playoffs Scenarios:
Bears at Lions
If the best case scenario were to take place, the outcome of this game wouldn’t matter. However, if the Packers still want a chance to make the playoffs in the unfortunate scenario where they lose to the Vikings, then the Bears will need to beat the Lions. So (barf) root for the Bears. And this can totally happen. The Bears have been close in all of their games as of late and Justin Fields looks promising (barf) for the Bears. Last week the Panthers ran up and down the field on the Lions and that is what the Bears do best.
Colts at Giants
For the best case scenario to take place, the Colts will need to upset the Giants in New Jersey. This game seems like the least likely to break the Packers way as the Colts have been falling apart at the seams. Meanwhile, the Giants are fighters and never give up. The Giants are the better team in this matchup but as the old adage says: “Any given Sunday.”
Saints at Eagles
This game is not necessary when it comes to the final outcome for the Packers but I do feel like it could be beneficial if somehow, someway, the Saints were to upset the Eagles. If the Eagles were to lose, then they would have to try and win against the Giants in Week 18. This will also give the Cowboys hope and force them to try against the Commanders in Week 18. Matter of fact, I am truly hoping for a Saints win here and you should too.
Panthers at Buccaneers
This one is easy. There is no direct impact on the Packers playoff chances. Root for the Panthers because nobody wants to see Brady in the playoffs regardless of how the season has gone for him and the Buccaneers.
Browns at Commanders
The Commanders need to lose just one in the next two weeks, unless the Packers lose to the Vikings, then they need to lose both. This game is the single most important game of the week for the Packers other than their own game. Root for the Browns to beat the Commanders. If the Browns win and the Packers win, then the Packers will officially control their own destiny.
Jets at Seahawks
Just in case the Packers lose to the Vikings, the Jets will need to beat the Seahawks. Strange thing about this game, in one of the scenarios I ran to see who would make the playoffs, the Buccaneers made the playoffs as the 7th seed thanks to a Seahawks victory over the Jets. If the Jets win against the Seahawks in this same situation, then the Packers make it as the 7th seed with an 8-9 record. So J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets!
Vikings at Packers
If the Packers win and the Commanders lose, then the Packers will be in control of their own destiny and could make the playoffs with a win-and-in game against the Lions in week 18 (sounds like Sunday Night Football to me). If they lose, the Packers would still have a chance. This is what would need to happen:
Week 17-
- Bears beat Lions
- Colts beat Giants
- Browns beat Commanders
- Jets beat Seahawks
Week 18-
- Packers need to win against the Lions
- Eagles need to win against the Giants
- Cowboys need to win against the Commanders
- Rams need to win against the Seahawks
As you can see, the Packers need to win against the Vikings.
In conclusion
To simplify things on what the Packers need to happen this week: the Packers need to win, the Browns need to win against the Commanders, and the Giants need to lose to the Colts (just in case the Commanders beat the Browns).
Another observation that I made is that every team the Packers want and need to win are on the road. None of them have homefield advantage. So after saying all of this, I quote the late owner of the Raiders, Al Davis, “Just win baby!”
Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
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