The NFL is called a weekly league for a reason.
The Green Bay Packers were reminded of that on Sunday.
They’re fresh off a week of passing the Chicago Bears for first place in the NFC North, winning four straight and climbing the playoff ladder. Next, they failed miserably on many levels, losing to the Denver Broncos while losing their spot in the division and falling to the seventh and final spot in the NFC playoffs.
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Such is life in the crowded NFC, where one failure can quickly change your position.
The good news is they can change their fortunes in just six days, although it may be difficult for Packers fans to know the extent of the injuries the team suffered on Sunday.
The Packers and Bears meet again, and first place in the NFC North will once again be in jeopardy. A win would move them one step closer to a playoff ticket.
Here are the latest updates on Packers playoff odds, NFC North standings, playoff picture and remaining schedule:
Packers next game
Next up is the Packers’ second-round game against the Bears.
For the second time in three weeks, the Packers (9-4-1) and Bears (10-4) will battle for first place in the division.
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The Packers defeated the Bears 28-21 in a thrilling game at Lambeau Field on Sunday, December 7. Now, Green Bay heads to Chicago for a rematch.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, December 20 at 7:20 pm at Soldier Field.
Packers playoff odds
Even after the loss, the Packers are in good shape heading into the playoffs, even though their long-term prospects have taken a major hit with the latest round of injuries.
According to the New York Times’ playoff simulator, the Packers have a 92% chance of making the playoffs after Sunday’s game.
If the Packers beat the Bears next week, their odds of making the playoffs will be greater than 99%. A loss would drop their odds to 85%, and fans might start to get more nervous.
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Against the Broncos, if the Packers win and the Los Angeles Rams lose, the Packers have a chance to be the top seed after Week 15. Well, neither of those outcomes happened, so winning the No. 1 spot looks to be gone. They have less than a 1% chance of getting the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
The Rams’ win over the Detroit Lions does put more distance between the Packers and their NFC North rivals. The Lions (8-6) trail the Packers by two games with three games remaining. Two more wins for the Packers ensures the Packers have a better record than Detroit. Green Bay beat the Lions twice this season.
After Week 15, the Lions have only a 27% chance of making the playoffs.
NFC playoff pictures
Here’s the standings after Sunday’s game. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Detroit Lions in a shootout to retain the top seed, while the Bears traded spots with the Packers after a win over the Cleveland Browns and a Green Bay loss later in the day.
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Los Angeles Rams: 11-3 (leads NFC West)
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Philadelphia Eagles: 9-5 (leads NFC East)
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-7 (leads NFC South)
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Seattle Seahawks: 11-3 (first wild card team)
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San Francisco 49ers: 10-4 (second wild-card team)
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Green Bay Packers: 9-4-1 (third wild-card team)
On the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-6), Carolina Panthers (7-7), Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
eliminate: Minnesota Vikings (6-8), Atlanta Falcons (5-9), New Orleans Saints (4-10), Washington Commanders (4-10), Arizona Cardinals (3-11), New York Giants (2-12)
NFC North standings
The Packers’ loss dropped them from first to second in the division standings, while the Bears climbed back to the top. The division lead will return when the two teams meet for the second time in three weeks on Saturday.
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Chicago Bears: 10-4, defeated Cleveland Browns, 31-3
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Detroit Lions: 8-6, lost to Los Angeles Rams, 41-34
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Minnesota Vikings: 6-8, beat Dallas Cowboys, 34-26
Packers remaining schedule
The Packers have just three games remaining on their schedule. Their next two games are on Saturday night.
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Here’s a look at the Packers’ remaining schedule:
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Chicago Bears, Saturday, December 20, 7:20 p.m.
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vs. Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Dec. 27, 7 p.m.
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Minnesota Vikings, TBA, Sunday, January 4
This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Packers playoff chances: Next game, NFC standings, remaining schedule
