I Honestly Think The Packers Are Going To Make The Playoffs

I'm buying the hype

The Packers are still alive!

Just three weeks ago it felt like all hope was lost. We were sitting at 4-8 and most people had counted us out. It almost felt foolish to say that the Packers could still somehow make the playoffs even though technically there was still a chance. Even though the team wasn’t showing much to convince me that we could go on a winning streak, I was willing to keep the hope alive. Sometimes things turn around when you least expect it.

That is exactly what has happened. On Christmas day everything changed.

I woke up that morning ready to open presents and spend time with family before the game kicked off at noon. Coming in I knew the Packers had to bring their A game. The Dolphins have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill make up a dynamic duo that even the most talented defenses in the NFL have trouble stopping. Throw in the fact that the Packers defense has been inconsistent all year and it felt like the Packers were going to need to put up 30 points or more to keep our playoff hopes alive.

With just two minutes remaining in the first half the Dolphins were up 20-10 driving down the field. The defense had already given up huge explosive plays to Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. It felt like the Packers may not be able to keep up. That was before Jarran Reed saved the day.

Packers Nation @PackersNationCP

Jarran Reed recovers the FUMBLE for the Packers! 😤

The Dolphins handed the ball off to Raheem Mostert. Jarran Reed pushed through the line and forced and recovered the fumble. The Packers ended the half with a field goal down 20-13 going into the half. Without that play I’m not sure the Packers would have won the game. The Dolphins could have easily made it a 23-10 or 27-10 game going into half. The Packers started off the second half with a beautiful 11 play 78 yard drive that ended in a 1yd TD run to AJ Dillon making it 20-20.

Fast forward to the 4th quarter and Tua Tagovailoa gifted the Packers with 3 Christmas day interceptions. The Packers left Miami with a 26-20 victory, a 7-8 record, and playoff hopes more alive than they have been all season.

Now with just 2 weeks remaining in the NFL season the Packers have a chance to do what just a few weeks ago seemed impossible. What a better way to end a season than 2 home games at Lambeau Field against 2 NFC North rivals. First the Minnesota Vikings and then the Detroit Lions.

I honestly think the Packers are going to make the playoffs. Sunday's game against the Dolphins showed that the Packers have the ability to hang with the best in the league. Just a week prior the Dolphins played toe to toe with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills barely losing 32-29. Coming in I thought if the Packers can beat the Dolphins in Miami there’s no reason the Packers can’t finish off with two wins at home against the Vikings and Lions.

Now don’t get me wrong, there were lots of things the Packers can improve on from their win in Miami. The offense was inconsistent and struggled to convert in the red zone. We finished the day with 4 field goals. Lots of points were left on the board. Aaron Rodgers had some key misses. The Packers had trouble getting their running game going. The first half defensive effort was lacking. But at the end of the day this team was able to fight back against a very good team in enemy territory. The Packers turned it on when they needed to turn it on. That’s what a dangerous playoff team is made of.

Would I have loved if the Packers had gone on this year to be the #1 seed for the 3rd consecutive year? Of course I would. That means you played great football consistently all year. But does the #1 seed guarantee playoff success? Packers fans know the answer to that. We were the #1 seed in both 2020 and 2021 and things didn’t end as we hoped. 

As long as you can sneak your way into the playoffs there is a chance that you go on a run. All you have to do is look back to the Packers 2010-2011 playoff run. We entered as the #6 seed in the NFC, won 3 road playoff games vs the Eagles, Falcons, and Chicago Bears and went on to beat the Steelers in Super Bowl 45. There’s something about an underdog Aaron Rodgers that excites me.

All the Packers have to do is find a way to win just like they did in Miami. It doesn’t matter how it looks. A win is a win. We will find out what this Packers team is made of in the next 2 weeks. I believe in them. Go pack go.