Everything is in front of the Green Bay Packers. After escaping Carolina with a win against the Panthers, Green Bay can still determine their playoff fate.
Eight NFC teams are fighting for the playoffs. Green Bay is one of them, but these two teams can help the Packers make the playoffs.
The plan is simple for Green Bay: win against the Vikings, and watch the Rams and Steelers take care of business.
The Weight of Week 17
For the Los Angeles Rams to take care of business, they must beat the New York Giants. The Giants are eliminated from the postseason, so they will be looking to play spoiler. New York has played well behind Tyrod Taylor, but they appear undermatched against the Rams in this contest.
In Week 18, the San Francisco 49ers host the Rams in a game that could determine a number of things. If Los Angeles wins against the Giants, and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17, the Rams would secure a playoff bid. Their Week 18 matchup with the 49ers would only impact playoff seedings in this scenario. It is worth noting that not since 2018 have the Rams beat the 49ers in the regular season.
The Seahawks’ game against the Steelers becomes that much more important to the Rams. While the Steelers are facing quarterback questions, the way Pittsburgh matches up with Seattle could give them the edge. The Steelers are also fighting for a playoff spot and could have found a much-needed spark last week. In Mason Rudolph’s start against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh scored more than 30 points in a game for the first time since Week 11 of the 2021 season. Assuming Rudolph will replicate the same success he had against Cincinnati in Week 16 is unwise. But, against the Bengals, Rudolph was able to feed his talented playmakers, giving hope to what the offense could look like.
The Steelers’ run game was also more effective against Cincinnati. On the season, Pittsburgh is 5-3 when they rush for more than 100 yards as a team. Seattle’s defense has given up an average of 129.6 yards per game (per ESPN stats). This is a weakness the Steelers can expose. A balanced rushing attack plus a few splash plays from Pickens could be the difference for Pittsburgh against a banged-up Seahawks defense.
For Green Bay, a Steelers win over the Seahawks means one less variable to worry about. Even if the Seahawks beat Arizona in Week 18, a loss to Pittsburgh could all but sink Seattle’s playoff hopes. But, for any of this to matter, the Packers must win out. That starts with their game on Sunday night against the Vikings.
Prime Time Showdown
With quarterback questions of their own, the Vikings could be starting their rookie, Jaren Hall, against Green Bay. Then again, just because Minnesota will be relying on a backup quarterback against Green Bay does not mean they will be at a disadvantage. From Desmond Ridder to Tommy Devito, replacement quarterbacks have given Green Bay trouble all season. Minnesota might be looking toward the future, but they are still alive in the postseason race.
Green Bay’s game against Minnesota will come down to two things: slowing down Justin Jefferson, and feeding Aaron Jones. Jones, the Packers star running back has been banged up all season. But with him on the field, the offense is more dynamic and diverse. In the two games this season that Jones has received 20+ carries, the Packers are 2-0. Per ESPN stats, the Vikings have surrendered the 9th fewest rushing yards per game. Minnesota also relies on an aggressive defense to shut down opposing offenses. Brian Flores has proved to be one of the best coaching hires of the season, and solving his blitz-heavy scheme will be no walk in the park for the Packers offense.
Without a win on Sunday, the Packers can all but kiss their playoff hopes goodbye. But, if the Rams can take care of business and the Steelers upset the Seahawks, Green Bay should be plenty motivated by the time they square off against the Vikings on Sunday night.
Main Photo: [Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] – USA Today Sports
