If the Green Bay Packers win their final two games, they’re in the playoffs as a wild card, this we know.
However, there’s another, much-more-convoluted scenario where the Packers could still make it.
First, the Packers need to beat the New York Giants, this week. If they lose to the Giants, it doesn’t matter what they do in week 17. The Giants are in with a win in Green Bay and the Packers are out.
If the Packers beat the Giants and then lose to the Chicago Bears in week 17, they would need the Giants to lose to Washington and one loss by Tampa Bay.
Tampa finishes with Seattle and at New Orleans.
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I’ll throw in one more scenario, though not particularly convoluted.
IF
(1) The Packers win out (vs. NYG, vs. CHI)
AND
(2) The Saints lose out (@ ATL, vs. TB)
The Packers will be the 5th seed and earn themselves a trip to the NFC West Champion’s house (STL or SEA) for the first round of the playoffs, while (likely) the Giants go to Chicago.
No one seems to be talking about that the Bears may not have anything to play for in the final week of the season. IF that’s the case (and that depends upon this coming weekend) then I can’t see Lovie playing guys like Cutler, Peppers, Urlacher, etc.
So can tampa bay get in if the saints have one of the playoff spots?
Provided they win out, (vs. SEA, @ NO), the Giants lose out (@ GB, @ WAS), and Green Bay loses to Chicago, yes.
Tampa would be the 6 (@ PHI or CHI), New Orleans would be the 5 (@ STL or SEA).
The Saints have a coach that wins close games…the guy we passed on. Although it sure would be nice, there’s no chance the Saints lose out.
I think the NYG at +3 are just about the best betting opportunity of the year.
The Packers are not playing very inspired football at this time ! …I’m still fuming over the Detroit game , they couldn’t have beat a high school team with the way that they played that game and then boneheaded McCarthy call a deep pass play on 4th and 1 instead of picking up the 1st down ! …WHAT A MORON !!! Then you have the special team practically give the game to the Patriots on the 71 yard kick-off return , ….hell they way they were trying to tackle they just should have let Connolly score the touchdown ! And their last drive before the final drive , they had the ball on New England’s 3 yard line and McCarthy’s only option , 2 plays at the heart of their defense , up the middle and a throw away ? Come On Now , …McCarthy needs to go and bring in someone that has some offensive football intelligence please !!!
Just my opinion, but I think even if the Bears have “nothing to play for” the last week, that they still play their starters. Lovie has never been shy about making the two packer games each year the biggest games of the year…even if it means the Bears go 2-14, he has made it a point to try and beat the Pack.
It will be interesting to see how he handles it…smart money says bench your big time starters…Lovie is not smart, so it’s anyone’s guess!
Let’s just win out…
I’m with you AZ!
I don’t know about that. Atlanta will still be playing for the #1 seed, and Tampa might yet be playing for their lives. I’d say the Saints losing out is a lot more likely than, say, Philadelphia (vs. MIN, vs. DAL) losing out.
But yes, clearly Green Bay needs to focus on winning their own games first. I’m pretty sure they’re aware of that, but we as fans have no such compulsion. Nothing we say or do affects squat. So why not dream a little?
and Lovie knows that the Pack are a far better football team than his gang of underperforming, fraudulent pretenders. If he can kil the chance of seeing GB in the playoffs, you can bet your ass he’s going to take it. I’m embarrassed to be in the same division as those lucky fucks.
We can’t get screwed over by the giants again at lambeau just like in 2007. Lets get this. We really need the 12th man to be involved. Actually the bears do have something to play for….2nd seed.
But I thought if there’s already 2 teams from a divison that there couldn’t be a 3rd team or is that something new this year
How pitiful is the system if a 7-9 team (i.e., the St. Louis Lambs) not only make the playoffs but have home field? If that happens and the Pack plays in St. Louis, y’all are welcome to crash at our place. We live about 90 minutes from St. Louis. I’ve seen GB play there twice, and both times the Cheeseheads out numbered the Lambs Fans. We out drank them, too. :-)
You’re thinking of college football and the BCS.