Entering Week 16, there are only 48 games left on the NFL schedule. Many teams are still vying for playoff spots, while only a few have already earned a postseason berth. The Green Bay Packers are still alive in the playoff race but could use some help along the way.
Green Bay’s best shot at the postseason comes from them winning out. But these four games will impact the Packers’ playoff hopes.
Saints-Rams
Sitting behind the Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons in the NFC standings, the Packers will have a close eye on many of their NFC foes this weekend.
That starts with the matchup between the Saints and Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. Having beaten both teams already, the Packers own a tie-breaker with both the Rams and Saints. When the Green Bay Packers beat the Rams earlier in the year, it was a turning point in their season. Los Angeles has since become one of the hottest teams in the NFL, and the Saints will have a hard time slowing down their potent passing attack.
A loss to the Rams would put the Saints in desperation mode to beat both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Falcons to close out the season. Atlanta must take down two surging teams—the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears—before they clash with New Orleans. On a three-game win streak, the Buccaneers appear to be in the best position to win the division, especially if they beat the Saints in Week 18. With three teams all vying for a division crown, the NFC South will have a big impact on how the seedings are determined.
As it stands, the Rams appear to be most capable of securing one of the wildcard spots. With a 4-1 record within their division, Los Angeles has won four of their last five games. They could also be playing a San Francisco 49ers team that is resting its starters in Week 18. The 49ers game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday will have a lot to do with how comfortable San Fransisco could feel. But the Rams have a good shot at beating both the Saints and New York Giants, which means maintaining their lead as a wildcard team.
Seahawks-Titans
An emotional win against the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night Football” effectively saved the Seahawks season. Seattle had lost four straight games before their win against Philadelphia. The Seahawks will finish their season with games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals. While the Titans are no longer contending for a playoff berth, they draw a tough matchup for Seattle. Per ESPN stats, Seattle’s defense ranks fifth-worst in yards allowed. They also have given up the ninth-most points to opposing offenses.
Will Levis has had his ups and downs as a rookie for Tennessee but has shown he is unafraid to take deep shots and test opposing secondaries. Seattle enters their tilt against the Titans with a handful of their key starters hurt. Jamal Adams, Devon Witherspoon, Leonard Williams, and Jordyn Brooks all enter Sunday’s game with question marks around their availability. The Titans’ strength is their defense and rushing attack. Against a banged-up Seahawks squad, the Titans appear to have an edge. With a loss to the Titans, the Seahawks playoff hopes will take a big hit.
Colts-Falcons
Both teams enter this game with playoff hopes. Both teams are playing their backup quarterbacks. The Falcons signed Taylor Heinicke in the off-season to be insurance behind Desmond Ridder, but Heinicke has since been named the starter for the remainder of the season. On the season, Heinicke is 0-3 as a starter. But the Colts’ defense should give Heinicke chances to feed his playmakers. Both Drake London and Bijan Robinson will be key players for the Falcons offense, and appear poised for big roles.
Indianapolis ranks near the bottom of the league in several defensive categories, despite winning five of their last six games. Gardner Minshew has been a spark for the Colts, and his resiliency has helped spark a surprising surge. Even after losing their top rushers, the Colts have also found success running the ball against opposing teams. With this formula, they should be able to control the clock and wear down this strong Falcons defense. Atlanta will need Jessie Bates and their defense to come up with a big turnover if they’re going to topple the Colts.
Lions-Vikings
This game will have huge implications for the Packers and their playoff hopes. After winning five games in a row, the Vikings have dropped three of their last four contests. At 7-7, the Vikings need to beat the Lions at least once over the next three weeks, and also topple the Packers if they are going to have a crack at the postseason.
Detroit has a strong hold on the division. But a loss to the Vikings could give Minnesota enough ground to catch up, especially if the Vikings can manage to sweep the Lions. In between their two games against the Lions, Minnesota must play the Packers in Week 17. The Packers’ shot at earning a playoff berth involves beating the Vikings. They would also be helped with by Minnesota losing to Detroit twice.
Minnesota is another team that will go into the weekend with either a second or third-string quarterback under center. Their best chance to beat the Lions will come from their aggressive defense. Brian Flores is one of the best defensive minds in the NFL and is known for his creativity when it comes to causing pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Jared Goff has shown over the years that he is excellent with a clean pocket, but struggles against pressure. Flores will likely cook up blitzes and disguise coverages to disrupt the Lions’ potent passing attack.
For Detroit, they will need another huge game out of rookie Jahmyr Gibbs on the ground. Minnesota has not allowed an opposing running back to top 100 yards on the ground since their Week 2 loss to the Eagles. Even though it will not be easy, stopping Gibbs is going to be a focus for Flores and the defense. Without stopping the run, Minnesota’s defense could be in trouble against Detroit.
According to the New York Times playoff simulator, the Packers enter Week 16 with a 23% chance of making the postseason (per The Athletic). Green Bay has everything in front of them, but it starts with winning the rest of the games on their schedule.
Main Photo [Tork Mason] -USA Today Sports
