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Three teams that can help the Packers while they’re on bye

By Freddie Boston

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals drops back to pass during the first half of the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals drops back to pass during the first half of the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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As the Green Bay Packers rest on their bye week, they’ll be hoping three teams can help them out.

Even with the Green Bay Packers not playing, there will be plenty to watch in Week 11.

Three games, in particular, will be worth following for Packers fans, as each could make a difference in the race for playoffs and, ultimately, a first-round bye.

Here are three teams to root for while the Packers are on bye:

Denver Broncos (at Vikings)

The Minnesota Vikings can match the Packers in the win column with victory at home to the Denver Broncos. Minnesota is one of only two remaining teams undefeated at home and will expect to get the job done against the 3-6 Broncos.

A Vikings loss here could be significant, however. What it’d mean is that no matter the Packers’ result next week against the San Francisco 49ers, they’d remain at least one game ahead of the Vikings. Minnesota is on bye next week. If Green Bay then won at San Francisco, the lead would become two games atop the NFC North.

A first-round bye would be great, but that’s only possible if the Packers win the NFC North. A Broncos win this week would help.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Saints)

Will the New Orleans Saints bounce back from their surprising defeat to the Atlanta Falcons? They now hit the road for another divisional matchup. A second loss in a row might not hurt their chances of winning the NFC South too much, but it would lower their chances of earning a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win, the Packers will be a game ahead of the Saints with six weeks to go.

Arizona Cardinals (at 49ers)

The Arizona Cardinals almost upset the San Francisco 49ers a couple of weeks ago. If they do get the win this time, the Packers would move into first place of the NFC. The 49ers would actually drop down into second place in the NFC West due to a worse division record than the Seahawks. The Packers would have the tiebreaker over the Saints and Seahawks atop the NFC due to strength of victory.

As unlikely as it may seem, an Arizona victory over San Francisco would put Green Bay first in the NFC without even needing to play this week.

That would set the stage very nicely for next week’s game against the 49ers, as both teams would enter with an 8-2 record.

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