The Packers began their second drive of the second half of their game against the AFC’s top team in the Denver Broncos up 10 points with the ball. By the end of that quarter, not only were the chances of winning the game slim, but the Packers Superbowl chances were all but gone. The Packers’ postseason, once full of lofty dreams, now seems hopeless.
Two of the Packers top players, Micah Parsons and Christian Watson, left the game with serious injuries. Today Parsons was confirmed to have torn his ACL, threatening the Packers chances of even making it to the playoffs. With stars missing from each side of the ball, what might the Packers’ postseason look like?
Only a flesh wound
Of the many Packers starters that left the game due to injury, the Packers were fortunate to only have lost Micah Parsons long term. Even Christian Watson, who was taken to a Denver hospital after the game, appears to have avoided serious injury and even has a chance to play on Saturday against the Bears.
Evan Williams and Zach Tom, who both left Sunday’s game with knee injuries, also may not be gone for long. Williams has a knee strain that may only keep him out for a couple weeks. Tom avoided structural damage, but has not been given a timetable for his return.
Although the loss of Parsons will overshadow the Packers’ postseason, injuries do not look as bleak as they did immediately after the game.
Division on the line
The Packers next game on Saturday against the Chicago Bears will likely determine the winner of the NFC North. According to the Athletic’s playoff predictor, a win for either team means a jump of around 20% odds to win the division
Currently, the Packers have a 43% chance to win the division. A sweep of the Bears gives them a 77% chance to take back the division for a second time in three weeks. Winning against either the Ravens or Vikings after beating the Bears all but guarantees January football in Lambeau Field.
Although a deep playoff run seems unlikely for the inured Packers, home field advantage will certainly help. If nothing else, beating the Bears will be satisfying for Packers fans who are happy to keep the division away from their rivals to the south.
Superbowl or (draft) bust
The Packers move to bring Micah Parsons to Green Bay means that team building will become much more difficult for the next few seasons. Losing the player who your team spent so much to bring in will mean difficult choices are ahead for Brian Gutekunst.
The Packers face two constraints in how they will construct the roster for the next few years. One is the lack of first round picks for the next two years, and the other a tight roster spending cap.
The Packers will have to miss out on first round talent for the next two years, unless they decide to trade up for picks in that round. This constraint is both helped and hurt by the lack of cap space over the next few years.
Dollars and sense
The Packers currently will have around 9 million dollars available in 2026, with an expected $20 million extra added with the cut of Elgton Jenkins. This spare money needs to go to an array of free agents the Packers may want to keep.
The players that are up for extensions this offseason include Christian Watson, Tucker Kraft, Quay Walker, and Devonte Wyatt. All of these players play key parts for the Packers, so Brian Gutekunst and Russ Ball will have their hands full making sure the roster stays championship ready.
However, losing free agents will help the Packers in the draft through compensatory picks. The players who are not expected to be re-signed by the Packers include Rasheed Walker, Romeo Doubs, and Kingsley Enagbare. These players are solid players in valuable positions, which means a boost of compensatory picks for the Packers when they get signed by other teams.
Conclusion
As the Packers prepare for their game on Saturday, there are many forces acting on them from all sides. Right now, the Packers’ postseason hangs in the balance in a matchup of the oldest rivalry in professional football. Beyond Saturday, Parsons’ injury may force tough decisions to be made at 1265 Lombardi Ave.
The post After a catastrophic loss, how does the Green Bay Packers’ postseason and beyond look? first appeared on PackersTalk.com Blog Posts and Podcasts.