Green Bay Packers: Ranking teams they’d want to play in Divisional Round
Who do the Green Bay Packers want to see come to Lambeau Field for the Divisional Round of the playoffs? Let’s rank them!
For the first time in three years, the Green Bay Packers are back in the playoffs. Even better, they have a week off, as they earned a first-round bye. Green Bay barely completed a comeback victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday to earn that bye, and then barely missed out on the number one overall seed in the NFC when the Seattle Seahawks fell one inch short of a game-winning touchdown on the final play.
The Packers are taking the week off to get healthy, something that is new to them. They suffered a couple of injuries including to Corey Linsley, Bryan Bulaga and Aaron Jones. While Linsley and Bulaga didn’t return to action, Jones made his way back onto the field and should be good to go.
The coaching staff is also taking the week to self-scout and preview the three potential opponents they could face next week. Of the four Wild Card teams-the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks-the Packers could play any of the latter three, as they’ll take on the highest remaining seed.
That means, if the Vikings win, the Packers will play the winner of the Eagles-Seahawks game. So, without further ado, let’s rank the teams in descending order based on Green Bay’s preference.
3. New Orleans Saints
In most years, the 13-3 Saints would have earned a first-round bye. However, this isn’t most years. Regardless, New Orleans is very good and would present the toughest challenge for the Packers. They have an elite passing game that features Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas, and their offense is super creative-presenting a lot of challenges for Green Bay’s defense.
The Saints take on the Vikings in the Wild Card round and are big favorites. If they win their game, they’ll head to Lambeau Field and a nightmare scenario for Green Bay.
2. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are still very talented and came very close to winning their division. Instead, they’ll have to travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles.
Seattle has been hit by the injury bug lately, especially to their running back position. This caused them to sign Marshawn Lynch last week. While Russell Wilson and the passing game is still dangerous, they are more predictable given their lack of a run game at this point. That could give Green Bay the advantage.
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1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles, although not an easy out, would be a dream matchup for the Packers in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Philadelphia limped into a division title, and a home playoff game, by going 8-8, however, they did win their final four games.
The Eagles have also proven the ability to beat Green Bay this season, and at Lambeau Field nonetheless. Still, they are the least talented team in the playoffs and the Packers would be more than happy to see them head their way next weekend.