Teams that can help Packers either make playoffs or get higher draft pick
Whether you hope the Green Bay Packers make the playoffs or lose to get a higher draft pick, these teams can help them in Week 14.
With seven losses already this season, the Packers‘ hopes of reaching the playoffs are all but over. But while it’s still mathematically possible and Aaron Rodgers is on the field, anything is possible.
But if you’ve already turned the page to the offseason, we’ve got that covered too.
No matter whether you’re hoping for the Packers to earn a wild-card berth or get a higher draft pick, here’s how they can be helped this week:
To make the playoffs
Cleveland Browns (at Panthers)
The Panthers are in free-fall having lost four in a row. They still need to lose two more games for Green Bay to have a chance to move ahead of them. Carolina hosts Cleveland in Week 14.
Dallas Cowboys (vs. Eagles)
The Cowboys are favorites to win the NFC East, and they can help not only their own chances of winning the division, but Green Bay’s wild-card hopes, with a win on Sunday.
New York Giants (at Washington)
It’s hard to see Washington winning many games without Alex Smith, but Green Bay still needs it to lose two more.
New Orleans Saints (at Buccaneers)
Tampa Bay is a game ahead of Green Bay, so the Packers need them to lose one more game before the end of the season. It could happen against the 10-2 Saints this week.
Seattle Seahawks (vs. Vikings)
This isn’t an ideal matchup as both of these teams are in the wild-card positions currently. As the Vikings have the worse record, it makes the most sense to hope they lose. Green Bay could move within a game of Minnesota with a win over Atlanta and a Vikings loss (although Minnesota would still own the head-to-head tiebreaker).
Los Angeles Rams (at Bears)
While close to impossible, Green Bay can still win the division if it wins out and Chicago loses out.
To get a higher draft pick
Atlanta Falcons (at Packers)
Considering the Packers’ playoff hopes are so small, it’s understandable to hope they lose their remaining games and secure a top-10 draft pick. So of course, it all starts with a Falcons win at Lambeau Field. It feels odd even writing that.
New York Giants (at Washington)
A Giants win could help the Packers’ playoff hopes, but also their hopes of earning a higher draft pick. New York would move ahead of Green Bay with a win and Packers loss this week.
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Detroit Lions (at Cardinals)
A win for either team would help here. Both teams hold the tiebreaker over Green Bay, but as the Lions are only half a game behind the Packers, they can move ahead with a win this week.