Updated NFL playoff picture for the Packers heading into their bye week

Riding a four-game winning streak into a high-profile showdown with the Detroit Lions this past Sunday, the Green Bay Packers simply shot themselves in the foot far too often, ultimately taking a 24-14 loss.

But let's not pretend the game was as close as the final score indicated, as the Lions essentially handed the Packers that fourth-quarter touchdown, perhaps trying to return the score Jordan Love gifted them with that horrific pick-six near the end of the first half.

But whether by 10 or by 50, a loss is a loss, and the Packers simply need to learn from this one and regroup during their upcoming bye week. Perhaps a Matt LaFleur lecture on how to avoid committing so many penalties should be on the docket, but that's not what we're here to discuss.

Despite the dismal defeat, Green Bay is still in a good position as it pertains to the NFL playoff picture at the official midway point of this 2024 campaign. The Minnesota Vikings certainly didn't do them any favors in the NFC North race with a win over the Indianapolis Colts, thus taking over second place in the division. But overall, the Packers are in good shape.

Updated NFC playoff picture and standings heading into Week 10

With Week 10 on the horizon, here's a look at how the NFC side of the bracket would look if the postseason started tomorrow.

1. Detroit Lions (7-1, 1st NFC North)
2. Washington Commanders (7-2, 1st NFC East)
3. Atlanta Falcons (6-3, 1st NFC South)
4. Arizona Cardinals (5-4, 1st NFC West)
5. Minnesota Vikings (6-2, 2nd NFC North)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2, 2nd NFC East)
7. Green Bay Packers (6-3, 3rd NFC North)

As you can see, the Packers are sitting in the seventh position in the conference. There's always a certain amount of pressure that comes with that slot, as it's just one away from being on the outside looking in.

That said, however, Green Bay should feel comfortable as none of the teams chasing them at the moment have more than four wins, a group that currently includes the Chicago Bears (No. 8, 4-4), San Francisco 49ers (No. 9, 4-4), Los Angeles Rams (No. 10, 4-4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 11, 4-5), and Seattle Seahawks (No. 12, 4-5).

The Dallas Cowboys (No. 13, 3-5), Carolina Panthers (No. 14, 2-7), New Orleans Saints (No. 15, 2-7), and New York Giants (No. 16, 2-7) are down there as well, but let's not pretend these teams are any sort of real threat.

So, again, Green Bay simply needs to learn from this loss to the Lions and figure some things out during the bye week, which Love can obviously use to rest that injured groin. The Packers will return to action in Week 11 as they travel to Soldier Field for the first of their two matchups with the rival Bears.

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