Packers and the playoff hunt
Written by Rex Jaybels   
Wednesday, 25 November 2009 13:26

packers

The loss of Al Harris and Aaron Kampman has no doubt set a shadow over the two game win streak the Packers have going. A lot will have to be shifted on the defense to compensate for two players that played a pivotal role on a unit that was starting to click.

The Packers currently hold the sixth and final spot in the NFC Playoffs, tied at 6-4 with both the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants.

NFC Playoff Picture
Seed Team Rec. Div.Conf.
1 New Orleans 10-0 3-0 7-0
2 Minnesota 9-1 4-0 7-0
3 Dallas 7-3 2-1 6-2
4 Arizona 7-3 3-1 5-2
5 Philadelphia 6-4 2-1 5-2
6 Green Bay 6-4 2-2 5-3
7 NY Giants 6-4 2-1 4-3
8 Atlanta 5-5 1-2 4-4

Just one loss separates the Packers from the NFC's three seed, and with a big win over the Cowboys and a game left with the Cardinals, the Packers hold their destiny, as far as that goes, in their hands.

So what's it going to take for the Packers to hang on to this final spot, or to move up in the seedings? Let's take a look at the schedule. The Packers have six games remaining this season and just two of those games are at Lambeau Field, a place where Green Bay has gone 4-2 this season.

Fortunately the Baltimore Ravens are one of those teams they get to face at home. The other is the Seattle Seahawks. The Packers will have to head to Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Arizona. It is very realistic to envision the Packers finishing the season 4-2, with losses at Pittsburgh and either the Ravens or the Cardinals. Keep in mind though, that the Cardinals have been dismal at home, going just 2-3 there so far in 2009.

The Giants and the Cowboys face each other one more time this season. The Eagles and the Giants play once more as well. Atlanta and the Eagles will face off in two weeks. Arizona's schedule is soft, but the final week of the season could be a showdown for position in the playoffs.

The key for the Packers will be first and foremost winning their two home games. In a hunt for the playoffs, you can't afford to drop games in your own stadium. Next it will be beating divisional opponents. Both the Lions and the Bears are games are winnable, and they must take care of those two teams. That would be four wins with dates with the Steelers an Cardinals remaining.

Packers Remaining Schedule
Date Opponent Record
Nov. 26 at Detroit 2-8
Dec.7 Baltimore 5-5
Dec. 13 at Chicago 4-6
Dec. 20 at Pittsburgh 6-4
Dec. 27 Seattle 3-7
Jan. 3 at Arizona 7-3


TOTAL: 27-33

It is hard to predict the Packers season from here on out until we see how they respond in Detroit on Thanksgiving, and even that may not be the clearest of pictures with all the injuries the Lions have piled up. But if the Packers can finish with 10 wins on the season, you would have to consider that one of the league's biggest accomplishments.

The offensive line was a disaster to start the season, and it appeared Aaron Rodgers wouldn't make it the duration. To compensate for that the Packers have gone back to what worked just two short years ago when they went 13-3 and made it to the NFC Championship game. Short passes to playmakers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings and the emergence of Jermichael Finley have taken the pressure off the line a bit and made this offense more suitable to the talent on the field (are you watching Ron and Lovie?).



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