Although the Green Bay Packers have not yet officially clinched a playoff spot, it is most certainly trending in that direction. Green Bay has over a 99% chance of possessing one of the three Wild Card spots in the NFC after defeating the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. With the Packers back two games from occupying the first Wild Card spot, assuming the Vikings take care of business, and one game ahead of the last spot, it is safe to say that the 6th seed is where the Packers will be knotted up in January.
Aside from praying on the downfall of Minnesota and Detroit for the division, the focus at this point in the season should be shifting towards attaining the best Wild Card matchup they can possibly get. Let’s take a look at what teams Titletown will likely match up against on Wild Card Weekend on the road to their 14th title.
Who Will The Green Bay Packers Play Against Come Wild Card Weekend?
Packers Playoff Matchups
Aside from praying on the downfall of Minnesota and Detroit for the division, the focus at this point in the season should be shifting towards attaining the best Wild Card matchup they can possibly get. Let’s take a look at what teams Titletown will likely match up against on Wild Card Weekend on the road to their 14th title.
Los Angeles Rams
After Green Bay’s throttle of the Seattle Seahawks on the road, the Los Angeles Rams have taken over the division after starting 1-4 to begin the year. The Rams have found themselves heating up after a rough start to their season, winning seven of their last nine, including a thriller against the Buffalo Bills a few weeks ago. There is no doubt this team is making noise late in the season and is looking like one of the teams to beat out west.
Green Bay has had success against the Rams in recent memory, both in the regular season and in the playoffs. Yet, both sides of the football have shown up big time for the Rams when they need to win games. Whether it be scoring 44 points to beat Josh Allen or keeping Brock Purdy out of the endzone for an entire game on the road, Sean McVay has found the recipe for wins as of late. This is a team that Green Bay does not want to face right now, but may have to start getting prepared for come playoff time.
The Jets, Cardinals, and Seahawks round out the Rams’ regular season schedule. If they keep stacking wins together, expect the Rams to win the division and have a chance at the third seed in the NFC for a revenge game at home against the Packers.
Seattle Seahawks
This is by far the most favorable matchup for Green Bay on Wild Card Weekend. The possibility of quarterback Geno Smith staying sidelined for an indefinite amount of time puts questions marks all over the ability of the Seahawks offense to operate as it has all season. The Packers were dominating in all facets of the game on Sunday and were doing so in Seattle.
Yet, the Seahawks have a rather tall task in beating the Minnesota Vikings next week to keep them in contention for the division. This is a must win game if the Packers want any chance at a rematch of last week in the Wild Card round.
Philadelphia Eagles
Of all the teams listed, the Philadelphia Eagles are the scariest matchup for Green Bay. Despite locker room issues becoming apparent between Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown, the offense just continues to click game after game. Not to mention, Saquon Barkley is a nightmare to deal with for four quarters and the defense allows the least amount of points to opposing offenses this year.
For this matchup to happen in the Wild Card Round, the Commanders will need to take the sixth seed away from the Packers by matching their record. As long as the Packers are one game ahead of the Commanders, which they currently are, Matt LaFleur will not have to gameplan for Philadelphia until later in the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If the season were to end at this very second, the Packers would be playing the Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round. The Buccaneers currently sit atop the NFC South with a record of 8-6 because of the return of their explosive offensive weapon in Mike Evans against the Chargers.
The Buccaneers have the best shot to steal the third seed in the NFC due to the strength of their schedule. The Cowboys, Panthers, and Saints are what this team is up against until the playoffs roll around. If Tampa Bay wins these games, a rematch of the 2021 NFC Championship Game without Tom Brady will likely be in the cards for Wild Card Weekend.
Main Image: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
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