The Green Bay Packers can still achieve everything they hoped this season.
At the same time, the road will be remarkably difficult.
The Packers are currently 8-3-1 and the No. 6 seed in the NFC. But Green Bay trails Chicago — the first place team in the conference and the NFC North — by just ½ game.
The Packers host the Bears Sunday at 3:25 p.m and travel to Chicago on Dec. 20. So if Green Bay, which has won three straight games, stays hot it can dramatically improve its playoff position.
That will be a tall order, though.
Green Bay’s remaining five opponents are a combined 38-22 for a win percentage of .633. That’s the best percentage among NFC teams that would currently be in the postseason.
“In the NFC North it’s a tight race,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. “There’s a lot of good football teams in our division. “You gotta come in and win these games and try to control your own destiny by winning out.”
Here’s a look at the NFC playoff picture with remaining strength of schedule.
1. Chicago (9-3)
Schedule: at Green Bay (8-3-1), vs. Cleveland (3-9), vs. Green Bay (8-3-1), at San Francisco (9-4), vs. Detroit (7-5).
Opponent’s record: 35-24-2
Opponent’s win percentage: .590.
Summary: The Bears have won nine of 10 games since an 0-2 start and are thriving under first year head coach Ben Johnson.
2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
Schedule: at Arizona (3-9), vs. Detroit (7-5), at Seattle (9-3), at Atlanta (4-8), vs. Arizona (3-9)
Opponent’s record: 26-34
Opponent’s win percentage: .433.
Summary: The Rams fell from the No. 1 seed in the conference with a loss at Carolina Sunday.
3. Philadelphia (8-4)
Schedule: at Los Angeles Chargers (8-4), vs. Las Vegas (2-10), at Washington (3-9), at Buffalo (8-4), vs. Washington (3-9).
Opponent’s record: 24-36.
Opponent’s win percentage: .400.
Summary: Of the seven teams currently in the playoffs, the Eagles have the easiest remaining schedule.
4. Tampa Bay (7-5)
Schedule: vs. New Orleans (2-10), vs. Atlanta (4-8), at Carolina (7-6), at Miami (5-7), vs. Carolina (7-6)
Opponent’s record: 25-37
Opponent’s win percentage: .403
Summary: The Buccaneers’ two games against the Panthers will likely decide the NFC South race.
5. Seattle (9-3)
Schedule: at Atlanta (4-8), vs. Indianapolis (8-4), vs. Los Angeles Rams (9-3), at Carolina (7-6), at San Francisco (9-4)
Opponent’s record: 37-25
Opponent’s win percentage: .597.
Summary: The Seahawks’ remaining strength of schedule is second to Green Bay among current playoff qualifiers.
6. Green Bay (8-3-1)
Schedule: vs. Chicago (9-3), at Denver (10-2), at Chicago (9-3), vs. Baltimore (6-6), at Minnesota (4-8).
Opponent’s record: 38-22.
Opponent’s win percentage: .633.
Summary: Green Bay’s next three games are against the current No. 1 seeds in both the NFC and the AFC.
7. San Francisco (9-4)
Schedule: BYE, vs. Tennessee (1-11), at Indianapolis (8-4), vs. Chicago (9-3), vs. Seattle (9-3).
Opponent’s record: 27-21
Opponent’s win percentage: .563.
Summary: The 49ers have the latest bye on the schedule and hope to use the late-season rest to make a move inside the NFC West.
8. Detroit (7-5)
Schedule: vs. Dallas (6-5-1), at Los Angeles Rams (9-3), vs. Pittsburgh (6-6), at Minnesota (4-8), at Chicago (9-3).
Opponent’s record: 34-25-1
Opponent’s win percentage: .575.
Summary: The Lions, the No. 1 seed in the NFC last season, need a strong finish just to make the postseason.
9. Dallas (6-5-1)
Schedule: at Detroit (7-5), vs. Minnesota (4-8), vs. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4), at Washington (3-9), at New York Giants (2-10).
Opponent’s record: 24-26.
Opponent’s win percentage: .400.
Summary: The Cowboys have a favorable schedule and could be a darkhorse to sneak into the playoffs.
10. Carolina (7-6)
Schedule: BYE, at New Orleans (2-10), vs. Tampa Bay (7-5), vs. Seattle (9-3), at Tampa Bay (7-5)
Opponent’s record: 25-23
Opponent’s win percentage: .521.
Summary: The Panthers are trying to make the postseason for the first time since 2017.
