The hits keep coming for wild-card hopefuls chasing the Packers
Both the Seahawks and Rams are suffering more injuries, while the teams desperately need a shot in the arm
As Week 9 unfolds, the Green Bay Packers, along with the rest of the NFC North, would secure a spot in the NFL playoffs if the season concluded at this juncture. According to the league's website, simulations project the Packers making the playoffs roughly half the time, while the Minnesota Vikings (81%), Chicago Bears (82%), and Detroit Lions (80%) enjoy significantly higher odds.
The silver lining for the Packers is their substantial lead over the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card chase. Currently, the Seahawks possess a 47% chance of making the postseason, while the Rams sit at 46%. Historically, the three wildcard spots within the NFC will likely be claimed by teams from either the North or West divisions, with the South and East divisions each securing a single playoff berth.
This leaves two teams from Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Seattle, or Los Angeles on the outside looking in for the postseason. An additional piece of fortunate (albeit begrudging) information for the Packers is that both the Seahawks and Rams are dealing with injuries. Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold is set to miss next week's game against the Arizona Cardinals due to a quad injury and is considered week-to-week, while his backup, Drew Lock, is also nursing an elbow injury.
Should Seattle lose this weekend, their playoff chances would plummet from 47% to a meager 29%. On the Rams' side, cornerback Jaylen Watson, a high-profile $51 million free agent signing, will undergo shoulder surgery and will not return to the team this season. Should the Rams lose to the Washington Commanders, their playoff aspirations would diminish from 46% to 31%.
Packers fans might not be thrilled, but they are already watching closely as the results of other teams' games hold significance. The Seahawks and Rams emerge as the only credible threats to push Green Bay out of the postseason at this point, and there hasn't been much positive news emanating from those clubs early in Week 9.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
