Since week 1, after facing the Detroit Lions, the Packers have yet to face another NFC North opponent. That ends this Sunday as the Packers, who sit at 6-3-1, are set to take on the 4-6 Vikings at home. Here’s what the next few weeks mean for Green Bay.
The Packers are currently 2nd in the NFC North behind the Chicago Bears. The upcoming stretch of games are arguably the most important moving forward, with the next three games being against NFC North opponents.
The story has been the same all season, the NFC is a guantlet. There is little room for error moving forward and the Packers arguably have their backs against the wall. As of right now, the Packers are the sixth seed in the NFC.
- 1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2)
- 2. Los Angeles Rams (8-2)
- 3. Chicago Bears (7-3)
- 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4)
- 5. Seattle Seahawks (7-3)
- 6. Green Bay Packers (6-3-1)
- 7. San Francisco 49ers (7-4)
Per Tankathon, the Packers are tied with Bears with the toughest remaining schedules. Despite the tough remaining games, ESPN has Green Bay at a 78.4% chance to make the playoffs.
A win Sunday is crucial for this Packers team, and arguably the next couple games looking ahead as well. The Lions are awaiting the rematch to Green Bay on Thanksgiving Day next week.
Then the following week, the Packers will take on the Chicago Bears at home, who are currently in first place in the NFC North. The Packers will then travel to Denver and then face the Bears again the following week.
So, of the last seven regular season games five games are against NFC North opponents. The Packers haven’t won the North since 2021. Will this be the year?
It starts with one game at a time. Going 1-0 each week. So, what will propel the Packers in the next upcoming games?
Well, to start, it is Toyotathon. “It’s time. It’s Toyotathon time, for sure,” quarterback Jordan Love said earlier this week. A meme that soon took over and was adopted by Love that actually reflects his play in these later months of the season.
Love has had a good track record of getting hot during Toyotathon, it could not come at a better time this year, and the hope is that he continues the trend this season.
Additionally, the Packers just activated wide receiver Jayden Reed, and he practiced for the first time since week 2. He won’t be set to go against the Vikings Sunday, but the hope is for him to be ready to go in the next few weeks.
That offers a boost to the Packers offense, something they desperately need. Especially after the absurd amount of drops we saw last week against the Giants.
The Packers face the Minnesota Vikings at home on Sunday at noon. The Vikings have struggled due to the inconsistencies from quarterback JJ McCarthy, but as we’ve all figured out, no one knows what this Packers team will look like each week.
I think it helps that this matchup is at home. I predict that Micah Parsons and company have a good day. Packers win 27 (magic number) – 14.
As for the rest of the NFC North matchups in the upcoming weeks, let’s just take this one week at a time. Become 1-0 each week and move forward.
The post The Importance of the Next Few Weeks for Green Bay first appeared on PackersTalk.com Blog Posts and Podcasts.