The Green Bay Packers are closing in on a playoff spot after blowing out the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Now 8-3, the Packers are in the No. 6 spot in the NFC playoff field and would play the No. 3 seeded Seattle Seahawks on the road if the season ended today.
While still sitting third in the NFC North, the Packers have a stranglehold on a wildcard spot.
According to various playoff projectors, the Packers’ playoff chances are now over 90 percent after beating the 49ers.
At the New York Times, the Packers have a 95 percent chance of making the postseason with six games to go. According to The Athletic’s playoff projector, the Packers are 93 percent.
Why are the Packers’ odds so high?
For starters, the Packers currently have a two-win cushion over all other contenders behind them in the NFC wildcard race. Also, Matt LaFleur’s team now has head-to-head tiebreakers over the 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams, three teams behind them in the standings.
Of course, there is work to be done with six weeks left. Over the next three games, the Packers will face the surging Miami Dolphins, who have won three straight games, the NFC-leading Detroit Lions at Ford Field and the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks in the Pacific Northwest — all primetime games.
But considering the current field, and the wins already banked, the Packers may need only two more wins to lock in a playoff spot. And with games against the Lions and Vikings still to go, LaFleur’s team has an outside chance to get back into the hunt in the NFC North.
NFC playoff standings
1. Detroit Lions (10-1)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
3. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3)
7. Washington Commanders (7-5)
8. Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
10. Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
11. San Francisco 49ers (5-6)