After going through the thick of the NFC North in their schedule, the Packers remain undefeated in the North. Currently sitting at 9-3-1, with their most recent win coming against Chicago, the Packers have a pretty decent chance to win the North.
Just last Sunday, Green Bay found a way to win against the first place NFC North, now second place, Chicago Bears. After a dominating first half the Bears made the right adjustments and found themselves back in the game in the second half.
According to ESPN, the Packers currently have a 98.3% chance of making the playoffs. Additionally, Green Bay has a 69.3% chance of winning the North. Good odds, but still a lot of ball to be played.
The next few weeks are critical for this Packers team. A loss at Denver this Sunday, and a Chicago Bears win against Cleveland would knock the Packers back to second in the NFC North.
That would make the Packers-Bears matchup in week 16 even more important, and a loss in that second matchup would knock Green Bay out of the playoff picture. Traveling to Denver this week is not going to be an easy matchup.
The Broncos currently sit atop the AFC with a 11-2 record. Their last loss came in week 3 against the Chargers. So, why should this Packers team win?
Well, for starters, Jordan Love. Those Toyotathon numbers are no joke. Love has played as good as anyone in the league lately and has propelled the Packers offense in critical times during games the last few weeks.
With his level of play remaining elite, anything is possible for this team. Additionally, other key parts of the offense have been clicking.
Christian Watson has been on a heater. In the last matchup against Detroit Watson caught four passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. In the most recent game against Chicago, Watson was unstoppable.
Watson caught four passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns against the Bears. Since returning from his ACL injury, Watson has proved over and over again that he is the deep threat the Packers need to stretch the field.
Jayden Reed returned from his collarbone injury against Chicago and caught four passes for 31 yards. Nothing overly game changing, but his presence will only continue to help this Packers offense.
Josh Jacobs has also been a huge part of this rhythm the Packers offense has seemed to find. 17 carries for 83 yards against Detroit and 20 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown against Chicago.
Luke Musgrave has even had a few flashes. The offense is doing its job. Even Bo Melton found the endzone against Chicago. The defense has also been making it hard for opposing offenses.
As you know, Micah Parsons is still very much a Green Bay Packer. His presence continues to have a positive impact on the pass rush. His presence allows not only himself to get home, but others to get home at times as well.
Additionally, Javon Bullard and Evan Williams have been outstanding, as well as Edgerrin Cooper. That 2024 draft class is looking elite right now. Cornerback Keisean Nixon sealed the game against Chicago. The talent is there.
The Packers have the pieces, but the importance is continuing to put it all together. They are almost as healthy as they are going to be for the rest of the season, and now is the time to continue to turn it up.
Safety Xavier McKinney had these thoughts on the matchup against Denver this weekend, “It’s definitely a playoff game … we know how much this game is gonna mean moving forward with just setting the tone of who we think we are.”
Well, let’s just see who this team thinks they are. Give me Green Bay 31-27 over Denver. A close matchup against two really good teams.
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