After failing to make the playoffs last year for the first time since 2008, the Green Bay Packers organization and its fans were thrilled to have Aaron Rodgers healthy and back under center once again. The future for the 2018 season looked bright. However, the season began with Rodgers succumbing to a knee injury in the first quarter of game one. This injury followed a sluggish offensive start on Sunday Night Football at home against the long-time rival, the Chicago Bears. Rodgers came back out in the second half and did “Aaron Rodgers things” to beat the Bears as many would say.
Ever since the season began, though, the team hasn’t been on the same page– at least not consistently. Closing out games, especially on the road, has been a struggle, and the Packers’ playoff chances hang in the balance.
The Green Bay Packers Playoff Chances Hang in the Balance
Following last Thursday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Rob Demovsky asked Rodgers if there was still hope for the Packers this season. Frustrated, he responded with, “C’mon, Rob. What kind of question is that? C’mon, man. […] of course, there’s hope.” The quarterback said it will take just “one galvanizing moment” for the team to come together. Now sitting at 4-5-1, the Pack is running out of time for this “galvanizing moment.” They haven’t been able to win on the road yet this year, which is rather uncharacteristic. They have lost a few games they, arguably, should have won (i.e. at home vs. the Minnesota Vikings, at the Detroit Lions, at the Los Angeles Rams, and at the Seattle Seahawks). A few missed opportunities, untimely roughing the passer calls, other foolish penalties, missed kicks, poor play calling, and some me-first attitudes stand in the way of this team being 8-2 and leading the NFC North. Instead, they will be fighting for a Wild Card spot in this year’s playoff picture.
The Outlook for the Remaining Schedule
According to CBS Sports, the Packers have a 35.1 percent chance of making the playoffs as of Week 11. The Packers likely won’t admit this, but it is officially panic time in Green Bay. The best bet for making a run in January is to win out, ending them with a 10-5-1 record. Their remaining schedule is at the Minnesota Vikings, vs. the Arizona Cardinals, vs. the Atlanta Falcons, at the Chicago Bears, at the New York Jets, and vs. the Detroit Lions.
The Packers Win Percentages for Remaining Games
- 43.3 percent chance against the Vikings
- 90.9 percent chance against the Cardinals
- 64.8 percent chance against the Falcons
- 39.9 percent chance against the Bears
- 71 percent chance against the Jets
- 79.7 percent chance against the Lions
Running the table certainly is not out of the question. The Packers have a talented team. They simply need to put together four consistent quarters of solid, fundamental football. They have only managed to do that once this year– Week 9 at home vs. the Miami Dolphins, which they handily won 31-12. If this team can have a “galvanizing moment” on Sunday and come out of Minnesota with a W, there could be real hope for January football.
