The Green Bay Packers Could Still Make The Playoffs ... Really

GREEN BAY, WI — After improbable losses, a coach firing, three injured offensive lineman and a veritable blizzard of speculation, the Green Bay Packers still have a remote chance of making the 2018 NFL playoffs.

The Packers took care of business this week against the defense-less Atlanta Falcons, holding a frigid Atlanta team down by a score of 34—20.

Here are the five things that have to happen in order for Green Bay Packers to make the 2018 NFL playoffs:

Each of the first three options

1) Packers: Win Out

It's a tough road, but for the Packers to have any chance of playoff glory, they're going to have to defeat the Bears in Chicago next weekend, then defeat the hapless New York Jets on the road, followed by a season-finale home game against the relatively toothless Detroit Lions.

Probability: They have a puncher's chance. Games against the Jets and Lions are in Green Bay's favor, and Rodgers has owned the Bears in recent years, though this year's vintage look a lot more like the Monsters of the Midway than they used to.

2) Carolina Panthers: Lose One Game

The Carolina Panthers currently sit at 6—7 in second place in the NFC South. They've lost their fifth game in a row, this week to the Cleveland Browns. They'd have to lose one of the following games: next week at home against New Orleans, the following week at Atlanta, and then a season-finale against the Saints again.

Probability: Pretty good. Those games against the Saints are a tall task for any team. That Atlanta game wouldn't be much of a challenge.

3) Philadelphia Eagles: Lose One Game

The Eagles just lost a heart-breaker in Dallas in overtime this week and are currently 6-7 with three games to go. The Eagles have to travel to face the Rams next weekend, then wrap up the season at home against the Texans and Washington.

Probability: Pretty good. The Rams are a tough customer - especially on the road. The Texans are for real in the AFC, and although Washington lost their starting quarterback, rivalry games are never a given.

4) Washington: Lose one game

Washington has the Jaguars, Titans and Eagles for their last three games, and they have to lose one of them.

Probability: Pretty darn good. Washington has gone down the tubes after their starting and backup quarterbacks went down with injury. That leaves it up to journeyman Mark Sanchez to take the helm. ‘Nuff said.

One of the next two options:

5) Seattle Seahawks: Lose Three More Games

Seattle's remaining games come against San Francisco, home for Kansas City and home against Arizona in their season finale.

Probability: Not Overly Good. The Seahawks just beat Minnesota on Monday night, and have easy games against San Francisco and Arizona.

5A) Minnesota Vikings: Lose Two More Games

The Vikings just lost to Seattle on Monday night, and now need to lose two more. The Vikings will be home against Miami, on the road versus Detroit and home against Chicago.

Probability: There's a shot here. The Vikings could struggle against Miami, who still has something to play for. Then they'd have to lose a road game versus Detroit or a home game against the Bears - who still might have something to play for in the last week of the season.

Extra Points

Switch to Decaf

If you're a die-hard Packer fan, and you really want the team to succeed against all odds, a lot of things have to go right. There will be some stressful moments and it may come down to the wire. Then again, Green Bay's playoff hopes could fall by the wayside by next week.

Stay tuned, keep calm, and Pack on!

Probability: Not good. Do you know how cold it is out there?

Photo Credit: Bashaud Breeland #26 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field on December 09, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)