As week 10 has now passed, crunch time is starting to set in and the playoff bracket is beginning to form itself. Teams like St.Louis, Tampa Bay, and Detroit are obvious choices to be picking at the top of the draft next year, but after a big win against Dallas and losses to both Philadelphia and Atlanta, getting to the playoffs suddenly becomes a lot more possible. Lets look at our chances:

The top two seeds look to be New Orleans's and Minnesota's to lose. Of course it's possible that another team may go on a hot streak and one of these two bunking out, but for now it looks like they will end up with the best records in the NFC.

1. New Orleans
2. Minnesota

This leaves two playoff births for the winners of the other two divisions, the NFC East, and the NFC West. Arizona has a good lead on SF, though that could all change in the matter of a couple games. For the time being, and for the sake of argument, lets assume Arizona wins the division. That would make them the third of 6 seeds. The other seed of course goes to the winner of the NFC East, which at this point looks to be anyone's game. With the Cowboys at 6-3, and the Eagles and Giants both at 5-4, any of these teams could win it. For arguments sake again, lets say Dallas wins the division.

That would leave us with 6 teams that, at the moment, still have hope for a playoff birth.
Philly 5-4
NYG 5-4
GB 5-4
Atl. 5-4
Chi. 4-5
SF 4-5

Of these teams, who has the best shot? SF and Chicago obviously have a bit more work to do, and quite frankly i'm not sure that either of them can win what would have to be a minimum of 5 of the next 7 games. Neither team is that good yet, though I think SF has a better chance at doing this because of their weak division.

Let's start with Philly. They have some huge games left to go that will truly make or break their season. They still have left games against Chicago, NYG, Denver, Atlanta, Dallas, and SF. None of these will be easy games, and it's very possible that with the absence of Brian Westbrook, we could see these Eagles struggle to get to 10 wins.

The New York Giants have their work cut out for them too. They still have games left vs. Philly, Denver, Carolina, Atlanta, Dallas, and Minnesota. A tough schedule also leaves these guys fighting for 10-6. They have not looked nearly as impressive lately as they did at the beginning of the season, and we may just see these guys start to fade away as well.

Atlanta is the team I am most worried about. They are a good team and have proven that they can make the playoffs under Matt Ryan. A huge difference could turn out to be the injury to Michael Turner. He is expected to be out for at least a couple weeks, and it's possible that this void at RB could cost Atl. points and even games. They still have games against New York, Philly, and New Orleans, and all of these games are coming up, when they would need Turner most.

Our Green Bay Packers have a been a headache for packer nation. Truly the only win we have against a playoff contender came a few days ago. They have shown flashes, but have failed to bring it every week. I think the Packers will show a lot about themselves over the next 7 weeks. They have a tough schedule, games against SF, Baltimore, Arizona, Pittsburgh, and Chicago, though the only game that I feel we would be serious underdogs going in is vs Pittsburgh. All of those other teams are beatable if this team decideds to bring the intensity on defense, and have a good gameplan on offense as well. If we can't get to 9 or 10 wins, truly this team is not ready to be playing against the big teams in the league. But if we can pull out games against a SF, Chicago, Arizona, as well as a few of the easier teams left on the schedule, playoff hopes are very realistic. We can afford to lose only 2 more games. I think the team CAN do it, but actually going out there and doing it is a completely different thing.

Nice breakdown. The following is not my prediction but I think the most realistic scenario of the Packers making the playoffs would be to win all the remaining home games and taking care of the Bears and Lions on the road. That would give the Pack 10 wins and I think that should do it. Beating Arizona and Pitt. on the road would be a pretty tall order, although Arizona could be possible. My fore-mentioned scenario would actually have the Packers at 10-5 before the Arizona game and possibly already clinched either of the two wildcard spots, setting themselves up to rest some starters if they choose.

I know, I'm getting way ahead of myself. One game at a time, as they say. I would like to see the Packers put together a winning streak before talking too seriously about the playoffs, but it's fun to speculate.

I think most would agree that the Packers toughest test is not beating ourselves. The Dallas game and the Tampa game are a testimate to that. So, if we take care of business and continue to improve week in and week out we will make the playoffs. We CANNOT lose to any team that we are supposed to beat (SF, SEA, CHI, DET).. yes, I think we'll be favored in Chicago.

So, of the other teams I think the Giants are the most dangerous. ATL losing Turner is huge and their defense is highly suspect. Eagles losing Westbrook (I think for the season) will hurt them, but they are still dangerous. The thing in our favor is that the NFC East all play each other yet and will beat up on one another.

I also think the ARIZ will have sealed up the West by the time we play them and if we need that win to get in we will win.

We're "supposed" to beat Chicago on the road? Even the Steelers lost to Chicago at Soldier Field. Cutler has been magnificent at home but horrendous on the road. That isn't a gimme at all. My problem with this team is inconsistency. I'm not going to get excited until they are 7-4. If they win their next two games then its time to prep for the playoff push. I just can't figure out this team at this point. They really needed to win in Tampa and were all set to do so until they completely choked in the last 10 min. of the game. They are just way too inconsistent for me to get excited about them. I fear we might experience the same thing we did last year. A team that is talented and can hang with any team but ultimately finds ways to lose. They lose a few games and everybody is depressed and then they have an impressive win and everybody is excited. I'll wait until they are 7-4. If they aren't 7-4 in two weeks, the season is over frankly.

Must win for the Packers obviously. Hopefully NY & PHI keep stinkin it up and we pass them.

Since we got the tiebreaker on Dallas I hope for NY or PHI to win their division and the other to tank.

That injury to Turner was a real blow to Atlanta -- I think their playoff hopes may have evaporated on that one play. The Cowboys, their late-season schedule is going to be tough.

The Eagles strike me as having the easier schedule of the two teams in that division from here on out, so I suspect they'll be the Packers main competition (assuming, of course, that this week's defensive performance wasn't an aberration).

The Packers can do it by building momentum through the season. Remember how the Giants were just on fine the second half of the 2007 season? I'm hoping the Packers can do the same sort of thing.

I have the beginnings of a dream where the Packers knock the Vikings out of the playoffs. This would make my year.

Week 11 Wildcard Picture

The Contenders:
Cowboys (6-3)*
Eagles (5-4)
Giants (5-4)
Falcons (5-4)
Packers (5-4)
Bears (4-5)
49'ers (4-5)


Contender Games:
49'ers @ Packers: Should be a Packers win. But with this team's inconsistentcy...
Falcons @ Giants: With Turner out, I have to go with the Giants.
Redskins @ Cowboys: Cowboys. But it's a heated division rivalry, so you never know.
Eagles @ Bears: Eagles. Westbrook may be out, but they're still a better team.

My Forecast for the Week 12 Wildcard picture:
Cowboys (7-3)*
Eagles (6-4)
Giants (6-4)
Packers (6-4)
Falcons (5-5)
49'ers (4-6)
Bears (4-6)

Our primary wild card threats appear to be the Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Falcons. Three of those guys are from the NFC East, so one of them will obviously win it and won't need the wild card. Ideally, we'd like the Giants or Eagles to win the East, since we have the head-to-head win over the Cowboys. This weekend as Packer fans, we'd like to have a Packer win (obviously), a Giant Win (over the Falcons), a Cowboy loss and a Bears win (over the Eagles). That would posture the Giants for an NFCE win, tie us with the Cowboys (who we'd beat in a tie), and knock the Eagles and Falcons both down below us. The Bears would still be behind us. A win over the 49'ers this weekend basically removes them from the wild card picture as far as the Packers are concerned.

*Signifies a division leader

The Ravens suffered a couple potential big injuries last night to their defense. We play them in 3 weeks.

Sigh. I almost hate to speculate about playoff chances, though I can't help it. They were supposed to start 0-3 before the Vikings game. Didn't happen. We were supposed to be 5-3 heading into Dallas. That didn't happen. Now people are saying 7-4 after the next two games should be expected...we'll see.

The path is clear ahead, though. Not many teams left who should be strongly favored above us. If we do manage to be 7-4, then the Ravens are certainly beatable at home. They're starting to get dinged up. Chicago isn't very good. Pittsburgh of course will be tough. Seattle shouldn't be too bad. Arizona will likely have nothing to play for in week 17.

It's right there for them if they can get it together. Big "if", though. Wish I wouldn't get my hopes up like this.

Its wayyyyyyyy over the horizon and theres plenty of rocky terrain between here and there......
But damn it would be nice to beat the Queens in the playoffs....DAMN!

I said that we have to beat the teams were suppose to beat. Meaning if we have to win the games we are favored to. If we were going to play the Bears this weekend don't you think the Packers would be favored? Therefore, yes we are supposed to beat them.

Anything can happen between now and when we actually play them that will influence who will be favored at that time but I am basing my statement on were the two teams are today.

As for Cutler being magnificent. I'll give you he has played better 93.6 passer rating. But he only has 4 games to go off of (small sampling) and 2 of the 4 were against Cleveland and Detroit. Although of the 4 he played his worst against Cleveland 66 passer rating, 1 INT 0 TDs.

What are the chances we make the playoffs?

55.8%.

As far as football goes that would make my whole decade!!

Wow. Interesting how much higher we are than Atlanta and NY with the same record.

It would ease the pain from the 2 losses that's for sure.

Yes it would. On the flip side, it would be really difficult to take if we lost to the Favre led Vikes 3 times in the same season.

Don't put the cart before the horse guys. There's a lot of "any given Sunday" left before we can realistically think playoffs.

It's all for the sake of discussion. I don't think anybody here really thinks the Packers are a lock to make the playoffs at this point. It's common understanding the team needs to take some major strides to get there.

Carolina 4-5

Brutal December schedule but at the moment they have hope as well. They did just beat Atlanta. Played tough at New Orleans and won at Arizona before that.

My gut says an NFC East team earns one wild card spot and the Packers earn the other.

Since I'm bored, I might as well give my prediction for how the wild car will turn out...

NFC East - DAL (6-3)

#1: PHI (5-4)
#2: ATL (5-4)

#3: GB (5-4)
#4: NYG (5-4)
#5: SF (4-5)
#6: CAR(4-5)
#7: CHI (4-5)

DAL = WAS (W); OAK (W); @NYG (L); SD (L); @NO (L); @WAS (W); PHI (W) =4-3
PHI = @CHI (L); WAS (W); @ATL (L); @NYG (L); SF (W); DEN (L); @DAL (L) = 2-5
ATL = @NYG (W); TB (W); PHI (W); NO (L); @NYG (W); BUF (W); @TB (W) = 6-1
GB = SF (W); @DET (W); BAL (W); @CHI (L); @PIT (L); SEA (W); @ARI (W) = 5-2
NYG = ATL (L); @DEN (L); DAL (W); PHI (W); @WAS (L); CAR (W); @MIN (W) = 4-3
SF = @GB (L); JAC (L); @SEA (W); ARI (L); @PHI (L); DET (W); @STL (W) = 3-4
CAR = MIA (L); @NYJ (L); TB (L); @NE (L); MIN (L); @NYG (L); NO (L) = 0-7
CHI = PHI (W); @MIN (L); STL (W); GB (W); @BAL (L); MIN (L); @DET (W) = 4-3

After all said and done...

NFC East - DAL (10-6)

#1: ATL (11-5)
#2: GB (10-6)
#3: NYG (9-7)
#4: CHI (8-8)
#5: PHI (7-9)
#6: SF (7-9)
#7: CAR (4-12)

Thoughts on my predictions. Atlanta is clearly the best team. All the other teams will be competing for one spot because Atlanta will take control of the #1 WC spot.

Green Bay must win against SF, DET, and SEA. Those are what you call, "must wins". If GB can get those "must wins", if they can at least muster a 2-2 record against BAL, CHI, PIT, and ARI. Then I think they have the best chance of getting the last playoff spot.

I think NY will struggle and hover around .500. But they're a dangerous, dark-horse team because of their last 2 games. CAR I just don't think is very good plus they'll probably be hanging it up and there's a good chance MIN won't be giving it their all for the last game of the season. So if teams like GB, CHI, or PHI stumble, NY could snatch a playoff spot from them at the very end.

If CHI wants to get in contention, they're going to have to win at least one time against MIN. But I think to clinch, they'll also need to pull a win out of BAL. That would tie them with the Packers and set off a slew of tie-breaking procedures. But if they can't go at least 1-1 vs. MIN and get a win from BAL, or they stumble out of the gate and lose to PHI, they might as well kiss their chances goodbye.

PHI has it very tough. 6 of their opponents will probably be vying for playoff ground when they play them and WAS won't be any slouch either. It's going to be hard for PHI to knock off wins against all those teams especially when PHI won't be getting a "break" the rest of the year. I think they'll end up getting tired.

SF doesn't play any elite teams, but I don't see them having very much success against the rest of their schedule. I see SF a little weaker compared to the teams they're going to face, and I don't see them making it .500 the rest of the way.

Thursday night is going to start a very long road of transition for CAR. I think MIA's going to be CAR. No wildcat is going to be a different look for CAR, and probably have very little preparation for it. R. Williams is a very good back and I think MIA will surprise CAR and pass the ball very well on them. So they get off to a bad start and have to go to the meadowlands and play a hungry Jets team. I like TB against CAR because of the rivalry and TB's ability to shut down Smith every game. Then they have to finish out the 3 of the 4 games playing some of the best teams in football (possibly playing NO's going for their 16th win). Very brutal schedule for CAR from what I see. Thought I'd explain that better since I have them winning 0.

Well that's just my perspective on the playoff picture.

I am with you on that one.....YES....

Vots...Good breakdown and analysis... One correction with this ATL does not play the Giants twice...probably a typo... Corrected below


DAL = WAS (W); OAK (W); @NYG (L); SD (L); @NO (L); @WAS (W); PHI (W) =4-3
PHI = @CHI (L); WAS (W); @ATL (L); @NYG (L); SF (W); DEN (L); @DAL (L) = 2-5
ATL = @NYG (W); TB (W); PHI (W); NO (L); @JETS (W); BUF (W); @TB (W) = 6-1
GB = SF (W); @DET (W); BAL (W); @CHI (L); @PIT (L); SEA (W); @ARI (W) = 5-2
NYG = ATL (L); @DEN (L); DAL (W); PHI (W); @WAS (L); CAR (W); @MIN (W) = 4-3
SF = @GB (L); JAC (L); @SEA (W); ARI (L); @PHI (L); DET (W); @STL (W) = 3-4
CAR = MIA (L); @NYJ (L); TB (L); @NE (L); MIN (L); @NYG (L); NO (L) = 0-7
CHI = PHI (W); @MIN (L); STL (W); GB (W); @BAL (L); MIN (L); @DET (W) = 4-3


The above scenario would concern me cause our playoff hopes would depend on the Vikings beating the Giants....( I wonder why that Bothers me....) .I would rather have Dallas or Philly get a Game on the Giants..I would feel a whole lot safer if the Giants are not that close to us....and depending on the Vikings to beat the Giants to get in...

JMO

I would agree although I think we have a better shot at winning in Chi. than ARI., unless the Cards have their spot locked up and are resting starters during the last game.

Not so sure about that my friend. ARI is 2-3 at home and we always seem to split with Chicago.

Perhaps that could be the case, CHI does have a better home field advantage than ARI and there's always the rivalry factor in a Bears/Packers game. I was just going off of my belief that ARI is a much better football team all the way around than CHI, regardless of venue. ARI beat CHI at their place a couple weeks ago pretty handily.

I hope you are right. Hopefully Da' Bears continue to implode and won't be much by the time December rolls around. Plus. It is always nice to beat them.

GB wins out to go 12-4. MIN loses @ARI, vs CIN, @CAR, and @CHI ending up with an 11-5 record. MIN also has to play the NYG but get that game at home. 2 of the 3 road games (@CAR and @CHI) I listed could likely have a weather component.

Looks like we're Dolphins fans tonight. Hopefully put the Panthers down for good.

Yes. And the win against S.F. Sunday will put The Pack 2 games over the 49ers. One game at a time as they say, but this is a huge game for The Pack.

Awesome. Best scenario so far.

You can pretty much cross Carolina off the list. With this loss and a brutal schedule ahead, they're done. Now hopefully we can do the same with the 49ers on Sunday.

I've said it in numerous threads but I like this teams chances for making the playoffs. It makes for an exciting 2nd half of the season and I'm going to enjoy the ride as the team improves each week, hopefully peaking at the right time.

I love it and when this plays out, The Pack will be one pwerful playoff team. I'm onboard with this scenario.

As for Minnesota, it remains to be seen how #4 will perform in the few cold weather games he'll see this season. We know he has had a hard time playing in extreme cold (NY, CHI, 07'), but if you look at their schedule, average temps should still be somewhat moderate. I believe that realistically, the Vikes will have to have some other kind of meltdown to drop enough games that GB could catch or even pass them now. As much as I'd love to see GB win out, the offense has failed to establish enough momentum and consistency to make a seven win streak plausible, especially given the quality of some upcoming opponents. If they somehow manage to gain footing, it could turn out to be an entertaining season. I am hoping for the best.

PS. The NFL isn't done with appealing the Pat and Kevin Williams suit, so there is at least one possibility of a momentum breaker. Remember, any team is one injury away from season-altering implications. However, we do have to concede that the Vikings ARE THAT GOOD, and that we would have to hope for something bizarre to occur to change the standings drastically.

I think I just squirted

Ditto. Twice.

After this weekend ends if all Goes well it could look like this.

This is predicting Packers Win,Bears beat Eagles (I mean if the Raiders can,,,Why Not), Redskins Upset Cowboys ( Not far Fetched), Giants get off the snide and beat the Falcons ( No Turner and Giants coming off Bye and 4 Straight Losses). Carolina Already Lost

NFC East - NYG (6-4)

#1: GB (6-4)
#2: DAL (6-4)
#3: ATL (5-5)
#4: PHI (5-5)
#5 Chi (5-5)
#6 SF (4-6)
#7 CAR (4-6)

This way GB knows the playoffs are in there own hands...They take care of Business and that is all they have to do and not worry on what any other teams do or dont do. I just dont want the Giants in the Wildcard Picture with that last game being with the Vikings...That does not give me a good feeling...

Are you kidding? I would kill to have to the Vikings again.

Nothing would make my life feel better than watch a fluttering pass in the Metrodump land in the hands of Woodson knocking the Favrequeens out of the playoffs.

We might have lost twice to 'em and maybe it's just the fan in me, but I feel we could have won both those games. It's not like they are the 2007 Pats.

--

Back to the playoffs...

Regardless of what happened(s) between now and the end regular season for other teams, it should not matter. GB controls its own destiny and MM should be telling them the exact same thing.

Remember when we needed NY to lose to the Skins to get in '06? Why should it have to come to that?

Bottom line: 'You win, you get in.'

Starts all over again against the 9ers this weekend, and Detroit on Thanksgiving.

Dave not sure what you intended this part for, but thought if it was towards my comment "I just dont want the Giants in the Wildcard Picture with that last game being with the Vikings...That does not give me a good feeling... "

I am not worried about getting the Vikings again...My Concern is having the Giants playing there last game of the season against the Vikings and needing a WIN to get in and KNOCK US OUT... I am Sure Chilly would oblige to pacify some and make sure the Packers did not get in...

Now it is that Scenario that would worry me.... I know we should just WIN and let them fall where they may , but I would Rather not have the Giants in the Wildcard race at all with that game against the Vikings being the last game of the season....Just does not make me feel good thinking about that...

Sorry. My brain didn't interpret that correctly.

Your scenario does raise concern, I agree. I, too, would love for that matchup to have no future playoff implications, nor ramifications that could negatively affect us. By then, I hope the G-Men are done and Chilly doesn't have to worry about 'knocking us out'.

I would love to see Packers-Vikings playoff game. Usually, if a team gets swept by a team twice in the regular season, then has to play that team in the playoffs, the team that got swept almost always wins. I say it has more to do with, eventually, you're going to figure them out and beat them.

So I say bring 'em on!

I don't have anything else to go off of but my fuzzy memory, but I could swear that I heard that the 2-0 team that swept their foe in regular season wins most of the time in the playoffs when that scenario has happend against the same divisional foe, and one of the teams to buck the trend is the Packers vs. the Vikes a few years back when Moss wiped his butt on the goal post. I'm too lazy tonight to do the research. I'm sure someone with the knowledge will prove me wrong.

I looked it up and 18 times in the history of the league has on team beaten another 3 times in one season. Given that, as much as I love my Pack, we should not wish for a game against Minnesota. Barring injuries on their part, they could beat us by a lot.

See I would definitely want a GB-MIN playoff game. It sickens me that we got beat by Favre twice and beating him in the playoffs would make it all better. And I think getting a 3rd crack at them, would result in a win. We played them tough and not only that, but because we made the playoffs, and most likely, that means the Packers would have to be hot.

I hear ya. That would be an epic game. I really feel that the season revolves around tomorrows game. Strange for this early but true.

Right now it looks like the Packers would be in either going to Dallas or Arz.

Since Falcons lost, Packers now have the #2 WC spot. If PHI loses tonight, Packers will have the #1 WC spot.

Packers now control their own destiny again.

While the bracket looks better, our playoff chances just took a hit. It's being reported that Harris is done for the season.

Updated Playoff Standings After WEEK 11

Well After beating the Niners we were the # 1 Wildcard Seed. Since the Bears could not put away the Eagles.. We dropped to # 2....from What I Can tell...I mean that Cutler Trade is working out Well...And the more it stays like this the more I worry on the last game of the Giants VS the Vikings....

The good thing about this is that from the Wildcard teams...We only have the Bears and from Playoff teams the Cards...in the NFC

ATL, Philly, Dallas, and the Giants pretty Much all play one another in some fashion...So lets hope that helps us... Either way we just need to Keep WINNING.....

Division Leaders:

#1 New Orleans 10 0
#2 Minnesota 9 1
#3 Dallas 7 3
#4 Arizona 6 3

Wildcard Teams Below:

#1 Philadelphia 6 4
#2 Green Bay 6 4
#3 NY Giants 6 4
#4 Atlanta 5 5
#5 Niners 4 6
#6 Panthers 4 6
#7 Chicago 4 6


Wilcard Team's Remaining Schedules: ( Inlcuded Dallas since Eagles, Giants and Boys are so Close)

DAL = OAK ; @NYG ; SD ; @NO ; @WAS ; PHI
ATL = TB ; PHI ; NO ; @JETS ; BUF ; @TB
GB = @DET; BAL ; @CHI ; @PIT ; SEA ; @ARI
NYG = @DEN ; DAL ; PHI ; @WAS ; CAR ; @MIN
SF = JAC ; @SEA ; ARI ; @PHI ; DET ; @STL
CAR = @NYJ ; TB ; @NE ; MIN ; @NYG ; NO
PHI = WAS ; @ATL ; @NYG ; SF ; DEN ; @DAL
CHI = @MIN ; STL ; GB ; @BAL ; MIN ; @DET

If Harris wasn't out, I'd really like our chances. I still think we're live, but because of that injury there's a lot more uncertainty today than there should be. The Kampman injury doesn't really bother me in the least.