Packers' playoff odds receive a huge boost after Week 13 win over Dolphins

The Green Bay Packers significantly boosted their playoff hopes with a third straight win on Thanksgiving.

Jordan Love has looked far better since the Packers' bye week, and he put in another outstanding performance to lead his team past the Miami Dolphins on a frozen night at Lambeau Field. It helped Green Bay secure its ninth win of the year, the same total that secured the seventh seed in the NFC last season.

The conference is far more competitive now, and a nine-win tally might not be enough, but the Packers still have five games to go. At 9-3, they have one foot in the postseason.

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Packers almost guaranteed a playoff spot after big-time win over Dolphins

According to The Athletic's projections, the Packers have a 97 percent chance of making the playoffs. They still only have a three percent chance of winning the NFC North, but they could boost their odds with a win at Ford Field next week.

The most important thing is getting into the postseason. Anything can happen then. Green Bay has an offense balanced and talented enough to win anywhere against anyone.

Why are the odds so high of clinching a playoff berth?

The Packers opened up a two-game advantage over the seventh-seeded Washington Commanders, who have lost three straight and still have their bye week to come. The eighth-seeded Arizona Cardinals are 6-5, but Green Bay holds the head-to-head tiebreaker.

One more win might be enough. The Packers would be unlucky not to reach the postseason with a 10-7 record. Two more wins would just about guarantee it. Green Bay's only realistic chance of not getting in would be losing its remaining five games. Even then, it would still have a shot at clinching a wild-card berth.

The Packers' final five: at Detroit, at Seattle, New Orleans, at Minnesota, Chicago.

It's by no means an easy schedule, especially the Thursday Night Football showdown with the Lions. They might not run the table, but it's hard to believe the Packers won't find a way to win at least two of those games and likely more.

The Packers are winning with Jordan Love. They found ways to win without him. With nine victories on the board at Thanksgiving weekend, this team can start to think about playoff football for the second straight year.

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