NFL playoff bracket if the season ended today: Packers get chance for revenge
All four NFC North teams are in the playoff race, making each game even more important for the Green Bay Packers.
If the season ended today, three teams from the division would make the playoffs, and the Chicago Bears are only just outside of the top seven in the conference. There's a lot of football to come between now and January, but the playoff picture is already beginning to take shape.
Several teams are barely hanging onto hope of making the postseason, while others have seen their playoff odds skyrocket after making a strong start to the year.
With Week 6 in the books, let's take a look at the updated NFL playoff picture.
Updated NFL playoff standings after Week 6
NFC playoff standings
- Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
- Atlanta Falcons (4-2)
- Washington Commanders (4-2)
- San Francisco 49ers (3-3)
- Detroit Lions (4-1)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)
- Green Bay Packers (4-2)
NFC playoff matchups if the season ended today
- Packers (7) at Falcons (2)
- Buccaneers (6) at Commanders (3)
- Lions (5) at 49ers (4)
As things stand, the Packers would secure the seventh seed for the second season in a row. They would finally get a chance to avenge the playoff defeat to the Falcons in the 2016 NFC Championship Game. Atlanta humiliated Green Bay with a 44-21 win and made the Super Bowl that season, but the team hasn't reached the playoffs since 2017.
We would also get a fascinating playoff rematch from last year's NFC title game between the Lions and 49ers.
AFC playoff standings
- Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)
- Houston Texans (5-1)
- Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
- Buffalo Bills (4-2)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
- Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)
- Indianapolis Colts (3-3)
AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today
- Colts (7) at Texans (2)
- Chargers (6) at Ravens (3)
- Steelers (5) at Bills (4)
Despite Aaron Rodgers throwing yet another Hail Mary, the New York Jets fell to 2-4 in Week 6, putting them 10th in the AFC.
As things stand, we would get some interesting AFC matchups, including the Harbaugh Bowl between the Chargers and Ravens, and an all-AFC South game between the Colts and Texans.
The path ahead: Packers' remaining schedule
Week | Opponent | Date | Time (CT) |
|---|---|---|---|
7 | vs. Texans | Oct. 20 | Noon |
8 | at Jaguars | Oct. 27 | Noon |
9 | vs. Lions | Nov. 3 | 3:25 pm |
10 | BYE | ||
11 | at Bears | Nov. 17 | Noon |
12 | vs. 49ers | Nov. 24 | 3:25 pm |
13 | vs. Dolphins | Nov. 28 | 7:20 pm |
14 | at Lions | Dec. 5 | 7:15 pm |
15 | at Seahawks | Dec. 15 | 7:20 pm |
16 | vs. Saints | Dec. 23 | 7:15 pm |
17 | at Vikings | Dec. 29 | Noon |
18 | vs. Bears | Jan. 5 | TBD |
The Packers have a tough schedule, especially playing in the talented NFC North. They have set a great platform with a 4-2 start, but their next five games will go a long way to determining how likely the Packers are to win the division. It's a brutal run that includes games against the Texans, Lions, Bears, and 49ers. They will be in excellent shape entering the final stretch if they come away with three or four wins during this run.
Closing out the regular season with two divisional games is huge. Who knows what could be on the line by then? Playoff seeding? The NFC North title?
For now, all the Packers can do is take it one game at a time.
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