Packers playoff picture: Green Bay's updated chances to make 2023 NFL playoffs ahead of 'SNF' vs. Vikings

Packers playoff picture: Green Bay’s updated chances to make 2023 NFL playoffs ahead of ‘SNF’ vs. Vikings

It’s been a whirlwind of a season for the Packers, who have been about as streaky as any team in the NFL.

A hot start by Jordan Love inspired hope the transition away from Aaron Rodgers would be a quick one, but the fourth-year quarterback hit some serious bumps in October to bury Green Bay in the standings.

As Love showed signs of improvement, so did the Packers. Green Bay briefly jumped into a playoff spot, only for the defense to fall flat in crucial matchups and leave the Packers fighting just to stay in contention.

A Week 16 win over the Panthers, while much closer than anticipated, kept the Packers’ hopes very much alive entering Week 17. A prime-time matchup with the Vikings will be pivotal, however.

MORE: Live NFL playoff picture with Week 17 in full swing

Here’s what the Packers have to do to reach the playoffs, including a look at which teams Green Bay fans need to root against over the final two weeks.

Packers playoff picture

The Packers sit 10th in the NFC, but they are lingering just a game out of a wild-card spot with two games remaining. Green Bay needs to win out and receive some help to climb into the playoffs.

Sunday night’s matchup between the Packers and Vikings officially became a must-win contest for Green Bay when the Rams won earlier in the day. With a loss, the Packers would be eliminated.

If the Packers win, what do their chances of reaching the playoffs look like? That depends largely on the teams around them. In the event the Rams and Seahawks both win on Sunday, Green Bay would need at least one to lose in Week 18.

Green Bay has the head-to-head tiebreaker advantage over the Rams and Saints, which is helping to keep hopes alive. The head-to-head tiebreaker against the Seahawks is still to be determined by each team’s conference record.

MORE: How 2023 NFL playoff bracket works

Entering Week 17, NFL.com put the Packers’ playoff chances at 25 percent. However, that mark jumps to 55 percent with a win against Minnesota, pending other results. Green Bay’s chances dip to 1 percent with a loss.

For the Packers, the mission is clear: beat the Vikings. If they don’t, their chances will be erased before Week 18.

Packers remaining schedule 2023

The Packers face two sub-.500 teams to close out their season, though going on the road and winning in Minnesota will be a challenge in Week 17 with cornerback Jaire Alexander suspended on an already struggling defense.

If Green Bay’s hopes are alive entering Week 18, a home matchup with the resurgent Bears will turn into a critical game.