The Green Bay Packers’ Remaining Schedule Is The Toughest Among NFC Playoff Teams

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.