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Five reasons why the Green Bay Packers are still contenders

By Tanner Nestle

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 09: Taylor Gabriel #18 is brought down after catching a pass between Kentrell Brice #29 of the Green Bay Packers and Antonio Morrison at Lambeau Field during the first quarter of a game on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 09: Taylor Gabriel #18 is brought down after catching a pass between Kentrell Brice #29 of the Green Bay Packers and Antonio Morrison at Lambeau Field during the first quarter of a game on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

4. The division is still within reach

In the NFL, once you make the playoffs, anything can happen. That’s what Green Bay is eyeing right now. They’re a game back in the win column from the Bears heading into Week 6. There’s still too much football left for anybody to be out of it at this point in the season.

The Packers are currently 2-2-1, tied with the Vikings for second in the NFC North. The Bears sit atop the division with a 3-1 record.

Several teams in the NFL had championship aspirations heading into the seasons that have been derailed by slow starts. The Falcons, Steelers and Seahawks all face much larger uphill climbs than the Packers in the race to win their division.

The key for the Packers here is the tie they have from Minnesota. Ties are no fun, but they can come in handy later in the season. If the Bears and Packers finish with the same amount of wins, it doesn’t matter what the tiebreaker is, because the Packers will have a better win percentage.

At 9-6-1, the Packers take the division over a 9-7 Bears team. The Packers only have to worry about matching the Bears the rest of the way.

A tiebreaker with the Vikings is also easily obtainable. A sweep isn’t necessary to own a tiebreaker with Minnesota. Whoever wins in Week 12 gets it. Besting the Vikings through Week 17 poses more of a challenge to Green Bay than the Bears.

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