Packers Playoffs Chances: What Are The Odds Green Bay Makes The Postseason In 2018?

After the Green Bay Packers (4-6-1) fell to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12, something grim became more clear than ever: The Packers will likely miss the playoffs for the second season in a row.

The Packers are in third place in the NFC North and have the 10th-best record in the conference. The Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles all have an edge on Green Bay for the sixth playoff spot.

Since their bye in Week 7, Green Bay has lost four of their last five games and are in third place in the NFC North. NFL.com lists the Packers No. 15 in their power rankings, while ESPN lists them No. 16.

Sportsbooks are pessimistic about Green Bay's playoff chances. Oddsmakers list the Packers as 66/1 longshots to win the Super Bowl, and gave them 33/1 odds to win the NFC and 25/1 odds of winning the NFC North. Both the Chicago Bears (2/7) and Vikings (5/2) have better odds to win the North than the Packers.

Rodgers has remained positive about sneaking into the playoffs but acknowledged that an 8-7-1 record isn't enough and even a 9-6-1 record could be tough.

But is the situation is as bleak as it seems?

Working in the Packers' favor is a relatively weak schedule. Of the five games remaining, four will be against teams that have little chance of reaching the playoffs.

In Week 13, the Packers host the lowly Arizona Caridinals and then stay at Lambeau to face an Atlanta Falcons squad whose playoff hopes have all but evaporated.

The big test will be in Week 15. The Packers will be on the road against the Bears, who are currently riding a five-game winning streak.

But then the schedule eases up with a road game against the struggling New York Jets and then the season finale at home against the Detroit Lions.

Winning five games is not out of the question. However, a playoff berth seems a bit far-fetched. The Packers need to not only run the table but also get lucky with other teams struggling down the stretch. If not, head coach Mike McCarthy might lose his job.

It is worth noting that the Packers started the 2016 season 4-6, before winning six straight and finishing as NFC North champions.