Ranking Packers’ four possible divisional round opponents

Ranking the Packers’ four possible divisional round opponents.

Six NFC teams will play in the wild-card round next weekend. The Green Bay Packers won’t be one of them.

Matt LaFleur’s team earned the right to rest in the opening week of the playoffs after clinching the number one seed with victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. They will await the lowest remaining seed at Lambeau Field in two weeks.

The Packers can’t play either the New Orleans Saints or Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round, but they could meet any of the other four teams, depending on who is the lowest seed.

Which matchups would be the toughest? Let’s rank the Packers’ four potential divisional round opponents from most favorable to most challenging.

4. Washington Football Team

If the Washington Football Team can upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week, they could be the team headed to Lambeau Field.

Washington’s defense is one of the best in the NFC, ranking second in the league for total yards, second against the pass, and 14th against the run. They rank sixth for sacks and are third in ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric.

First-round picks from the past two seasons, Montez Sweat and Chase Young, lead the way in sacks for Washington having combined for 16.5.

However, there’s a reason why Washington only won seven games in the NFC East. Their offense has been nowhere close to a playoff level this year.

Washington ranks 30th in the NFL for total offense, 25th in the passing game, and 26th on the ground. They are averaging just 20.9 points per game and have started three different quarterbacks. Current starter Alex Smith has six touchdown passes with eight interceptions.

Washington has also allowed 50 sacks, tied for second-most in the NFL.

While its defense could create some problems for Green Bay’s offense, its struggles moving the ball would make the Packers strong favorites.