5 teams Packers need wins from in Week 16 to keep playoff hopes alive
Welcome to the third iteration of this column, which means the Green Bay Packers’ playoff hopes are still alive!
I’ve been outlining the teams you should root for for three weeks if you want the Packers to make the playoffs. Last week, we marked the Jets, 49ers, Commanders, Steelers and Packers as teams who would help Green Bay’s playoff odds if they earned victories. Only the Jets and Commanders were unsuccessful.
Green Bay increased their playoff odds to a whopping eight percent following Week 15. They can take a major jump if everything falls their way this week.
If the Green Bay Packers want to keep their playoff hopes alive, they need these five teams to earn victories in Week 16.
San Francisco 49ers
Once again, the 49ers will play a major role in the Packers’ playoff hopes, as they take on the Washington Commanders this week. At 7-6-1, Washington holds the seventh and final playoff spot. If Green Bay wants to surpass them, they need the Commanders to lose at least two of their final three games. A matchup against the red-hot niners will, hopefully, be one of those.
Kansas City Chiefs
At 7-7, the Seattle Seahawks are still a game ahead of Green Bay, but they play the Kansas City Chiefs this week. The Chiefs are favored and should be able to defeat the slumping Seahawks, clearing a path for Green Bay to surpass them in the coming weeks.
Minnesota Vikings
It will never not feel odd rooting for the Vikings. They are our mortal enemies. However, they take on the New York Giants this week. New York would need to lose their final three games for the Packers to pass them. However, I like to keep all of my options open and would like nothing more than for them to lose in Week 16.
Carolina Panthers
This is the least important win on the slate and likely wouldn’t affect much. The Panthers face the Detroit Lions this week, and a win could knock Detroit into a tie with Green Bay. The Packers and Lions have a Week 18 matchup that would be the deciding factor if everything goes the Packers’ way.
Green Bay Packers
Nothing else matters if the Packers don’t beat the Miami Dolphins on Christmas Day. The Packers need to win their final three games if they want any real chance at making the playoffs. Miami has a dangerous offense with two speedsters on the outside that could cause Green Bay issues. The Packers need to help themselves with a win when it’s all said and done.