ANALYSIS VIDEO: Brutal injuries haunt Packers in loss to Broncos
Ryan Wood joins Dominique Yates to recap the Packers’ 34-26 loss to the Broncos where the team suffered potentially devastating injuries.
The NFL is called a week-to-week league for a reason.
The Green Bay Packers were reminded of that on Sunday.
One week they’re living large having just overtaken the Chicago Bears for first in the NFC North and climbing the playoff ladder. The next, they come crashing down with a stinging loss on many levels, falling to the Denver Broncos, while losing their spot in the division and falling to the seventh and final spot in the NFC playoff picture.
That’s life in the crowded NFC when one loss can change your position very quickly.
The good news – though it might be hard for Packers fans to find it knowing the injuries the team suffered on Sunday – is that they can change their fortunes in six short days.
The Packers and Bears meet again and first place in the NFC North will again be at stake. A win will get them closer to punching their ticket to the playoffs.
Here’s the latest on the Packers’ playoff odds, NFC North standings, playoff picture and remaining schedule:
Packers next game
Packers-Bears Round 2 is up next.
For the second time in three weeks, the Packers (9-4-1) and Bears (10-4) will play with first place in the division on the line.
The Packers beat the Bears, 28-21, on Sunday, Dec. 7, in a thriller at Lambeau Field. Now, Green Bay heads to Chicago in the rematch. A win for the Packers would not only put them atop the NFC North but also back in the No. 2 seed in the playoff picture.
Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Soldier Field.
Packers playoff odds
While their long-term prospects took a major hit with the latest round of injuries, the Packers are still in good shape to make the playoffs even after the loss to the Broncos.
According to the New York Times’ playoff simulator, the Packers have a 92% chance of making the playoffs following the games on Sunday.
If the Packers beat the Bears next week, their playoff odds will be greater than 99%. A loss drops their odds to 85% and fans will likely begin getting a little more nervous.
Entering the game against the Broncos, there was a chance for the Packers to be the No. 1 seed after Week 15 if they won and the Los Angeles Rams lost. Well, both of those outcomes didn’t happen so earning that top spot looks to be gone. They have less than a 1% chance to get the No. 1 seed, which comes with a first-round bye.
The Rams’ win over the Detroit Lions did put greater separation between the Packers and their NFC North rival who continues to be shockingly on the outside of the playoff picture. The Lions (8-6) are two games back of the Packers in the loss column and one in the win column with three games to play. Two more wins for the Packers guarantees Green Bay with a better record than Detroit no matter how the Lions finish. Green Bay beat the Lions twice this season.
The Lions’ chances to make the playoffs is just 27% after Week 15.
NFC playoff picture
Here are the standings after Sunday’s games. The Los Angeles Rams remained the No. 1 seed by winning a shootout over the Detroit Lions, while the Bears switched spots with the Packers after their win over the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay’s loss later in the day.
Los Angeles Rams: 11-3 (NFC West leader)Chicago Bears: 10-4 (NFC North leader)Philadelphia Eagles: 9-5 (NFC East leader)Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-7 (NFC South leader)Seattle Seahawks: 11-3 (first wild card team)San Francisco 49ers: 10-4 (second wild card team)Green Bay Packers: 9-4-1 (third wild card team)
In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-6), Carolina Panthers (7-7), Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
Eliminated: Minnesota Vikings (6-8), Atlanta Falcons (5-9), New Orleans Saints (4-10), Washington Commanders (4-10), Arizona Cardinals (3-11), New York Giants (2-12)
NFC North standings
The Packers’ loss dropped them from first to second in the division standings, while the Bears moved back to the top. The division lead will be back on the line when the two teams square off on Saturday for the second time in three weeks.
Chicago Bears: 10-4, defeated the Cleveland Browns, 31-3Green Bay Packers: 9-4-1, lost to the Denver Broncos, 34-26Detroit Lions: 8-6, lost to the Los Angeles Rams, 41-34Minnesota Vikings: 6-8, defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 34-26Packers remaining schedule
The Packers have just three games left on their schedule. Their next two games will be played on Saturday night.
Here’s the Packers’ remaining schedule:
Week 16: at Chicago Bears, 7:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20Week 17: vs. Baltimore Ravens, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27Week 18: at Minnesota Vikings, Date/Time TBD