Five teams that can help the Packers in Week 15

These teams can help the Green Bay Packers in Week 15.

Last week’s results couldn’t have gone any better for the Packers. They not only picked up the victory against the Falcons, but also got some help from around the league, increasing their playoff odds ever so slightly.

I get it. Not everybody is hoping the Packers make the playoffs. I understand that way of thinking. There’s been little evidence to suggest this team could make a run, and for that reason they could be better off landing a higher draft pick and transitioning to a new head coach sooner.

So I’ve got all bases covered. If you are still holding out hope for a wild-card berth, below you’ll find the teams to root for this week. And if you’re hoping for a Packers loss for a higher draft pick, no problem, that’s covered too.

To make the playoffs

Miami Dolphins (at Vikings)

Of all the scenarios the Packers need to play out, the Vikings losing two of their final three is possibly the most unlikely. But if the Dolphins can pull off the upset at U.S. Bank Stadium and Green Bay wins at Chicago, the Packers’ playoff odds will rise dramatically. This is the big one.

Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Washington)

Losers of four straight, Washington has been in free-fall since Alex Smith went down with a season-ending injury. Relying on the Jaguars, who have lost eight of their past nine, isn’t ideal. But the Packers need Washington to lose one more game. Could it be this week?

Los Angeles Rams (vs. Eagles)

The inconsistent Eagles have now lost three of their past five games and enter a matchup with one of the NFL’s best teams. The Rams were outplayed by the Bears last week but will be expected to get back on track here. Green Bay needs the Super Bowl champions to lose one more game.

New Orleans Saints (at Panthers)

Once 6-2, it’s hard to believe the Panthers enter this game at 6-7 and likely needing a win to save their season. The bad news continues for Carolina as it now enters one of two matchups with New Orleans to close out the season.

San Francisco 49ers (vs. Seahawks)

This one isn’t as important as the other scenarios as the Packers don’t necessarily need this to happen. Green Bay can only overtake Seattle if it loses all three of its remaining games and the Packers win out. But while it’s still mathematically possible, root for the 49ers this week.

To get a higher draft pick

If the Packers lose to the Bears, each of these four teams could overtake them in the standings with a victory this week:

• Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Raiders)
• New York Giants (vs. Titans)
• Detroit Lions (at Bills)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Ravens)

Currently Green Bay owns the 12th pick in the draft, but a scenario in which each of those four teams win would give the Packers the eighth pick entering Week 16.

While the following teams can’t overtake Green Bay this week, the gap would be closed:

New York Jets (vs. Texans)

The Jets enter Week 15 at 4-9. A win here and victory over the Packers next week would put them 6-9 and ahead of Green Bay if it also loses at Chicago.

Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Washington)

A Jaguars victory is win-win. If the Packers beat the Bears it helps their playoff chances. But if they lose, it helps in the draft order. Jacksonville would improve to 5-9 with a win this week.

Atlanta Falcons (vs. Cardinals)

Last week’s win makes it much more unlikely the Packers get a higher draft pick than the Falcons. Green Bay would need to lose its remaining three games and Atlanta win two, or the Packers win one and the Falcons win three.