What is the Packers most likely path to the Super Bowl?

The Green Bay Packers have already exceeded expectations by making it to the playoffs as the NFC's seventh seed. Advancing to the Super Bowl will be a monumental challenge, considering the path they must take.

As the lowest seed in the conference, every game Green Bay plays in the postseason will be on the road. The Packers need to make a 2010-like run to reach the Super Bowl, building momentum as they eliminate higher-seeded teams on the road.

Green Bay's playoff journey begins at AT&T Stadium. Should they advance, what is the most likely path the Packers will face to the Super Bowl?

Wild Card Round: Dallas Cowboys

First, the Packers must overcome the Cowboys, which itself is a tremendous challenge. Mike McCarthy's team has dominated its opponents at home, winning all eight games at Jerry World in 2023. The Cowboys are one of the league's most balanced and well-rounded teams, with a top-five scoring offense and defense.

It will require complementary football, and probably the Packers' best effort of the year, to pull off the upset on the road. They must control the clock, turn red-zone trips into touchdowns, and steal a possession or two.

Divisional Round: San Francisco 49ers

If the Packers upset the Cowboys, they will visit Levi's Stadium to play the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round. San Francisco will host the lowest-remaining seed. As the seventh seed, the Packers will be that team should they defeat the Cowboys.

Beating Dallas on the road is challenging enough. Eliminating the Niners would take an even better performance from Matt LaFleur's team. San Francisco ranks No. 3 in scoring offense and defense.

The 49ers can run the ball with superstar Christian McCaffrey. Brock Purdy can spread the ball around to an elite receiving group of Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk. Then there's the 49ers' defense, which is allowing just 17.5 points per game.

NFC Championship Game: Detroit Lions

If the Packers somehow get past the Cowboys and 49ers on the road, they will believe they can beat anybody. Green Bay would take on the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.

The Lions are the highest-seeded team of this group. They host the Rams this week. If Detroit and Green Bay win, the Lions will get another home game against the Bucs or Eagles in the next round.

A trip to Ford Field is far less daunting than a road matchup against the Niners, and it helps that the Packers have already secured a road win over the Lions this season. However, it would be another challenging matchup. Detroit's offense is one of the best in football, ranking third in total yards per game and second through the air.

Super Bowl LVIII

The Packers must run the gauntlet to get through the NFC playoffs. They will need to beat the Cowboys and 49ers in consecutive weeks to reach the NFC title game, where one of four teams would await them.

Win that, and they would head to Super Bowl LVIII. The potential opponents? The Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cleveland Browns are among the best teams in the AFC.

To be the best, you've got to beat the best. The Packers have a long road ahead of them.

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