The Green Bay Packers are 4-3 after a 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions. The defeat was a tough one for the Packers, who entered the game on a three-game winning streak and looked to boost their playoff odds.
Instead, the team will look to turn around on a short week and pick up a win against another NFC playoff contender in the Carolina Panthers. While the season is only halfway through and there are still 10 games left to play, the Packers' playoff picture has begun to come into view.
As the season continues, we'll look at the Packers' playoff picture, the games that matter most, and who you should be rooting for that give Green Bay the best odds moving forward.
Packers' playoff odds heading into Week 8
According to The Athletic's playoff projections, the Packers currently have a 40 percent chance of making the postseason.
Obviously, those aren't the best odds, but the team's 4-3 record and the rest of the NFC being so tightly packed together play a role in that. However, the team's upcoming game features some big swings in terms of where the odds can go from here.
A win against the Panthers would see the Packers' odds jump up to 49 percent, a slight increase over their current number. However, a loss would see the Packers' odds drop to 26 percent, which shows just how competitive the NFC is.
If the season ended today, the Packers would hold the NFC's No. 7 seed, a spot they've been all too familiar with over the years.
On the flip side of things, the Panthers enter the game with a 36 percent chance of making the playoffs, per The Athletic, with a win boosting their odds to 48 percent and a loss dropping it down to 29 percent.
Needless to say, both teams will be desperate for a win in Week 8.
Who the Packers should root for around the league in Week 8
Multiple games can help the Packers' playoff odds this week. Traditionally, these games don't usually come into focus until later in the season, but it's worth mentioning now just in case. In Week 8, there are only two games that would really help the Packers in any early playoff talks as of now.
Predictably, those games feature two NFC teams as well. First, the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions game, where a Vikings win would give a *slight* boost to the Packers' odds. However, a win would also push the Vikings to 7-0 and make the Packers' pursuit of the NFC North division crown that much harder.
The other game is a bit more black-and-white. The Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams face off this week, and a Chargers win is also something that Packers fans should be rooting for. However, that might be tough in general, as the Chargers are still searching for their first win after starting out 0-6.
Packers' identity will help shape the season going forward
It's worth noting that, since it's still a bit early in the NFL season, the "playoff picture" hasn't come into full focus just yet.
However, when Thursday's game ends, we will be more than two quarters through the season.
The Packers, so far, have shown the ability to play up against any level of talent, but have also shown they can sometimes be a victim of their own mistakes.
As the season continues and these games become increasingly important, we'll be able to track exactly how they've gotten there.
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