Packers News: Playoffs Are Unlikely As Green Bay Falls Further Out Of NFC North, Wild-Card Race

The Green Bay Packers are running out of time to turn their season around. The team suffered a pivotal loss to the Seattle Seahawks Thursday night in a game that could ultimately keep them out of the NFL playoffs.

Green Bay fell to 4-5-1 on the season when they were defeated 27-24 in Week 11. Not only did the Packers fall further out of both the NFC North and wild-card race, but they handed a win to a team that’s competing for the same postseason spot.

Seattle, now the NFC’s No.7 seed, trails the No.6 seed Minnesota Vikings by one game in the standings. The Packers are a half-game behind the Seahawks, and they are tied with three other NFC teams that have a 4-5 record. A few of those teams could move past Green Bay with wins Sunday.

The Packers might have to run the table if they want any chance of winning the NFC North. The 6-3 Chicago Bears sit in first place with a half-game lead over the Vikings. Chicago and Minnesota will meet Sunday night at Soldier Field with first place on the line.

“What am I supposed to say? Of course there's hope,” Aaron Rodgers said Thursday night when asked if the Packers still have any hope left this season, via ESPN.com. “Of course we believe in each other. It's going to take one galvanizing moment. Whether that's a speech or at practice or something happens in the game, something's got to get this thing going. I thought we had moments tonight where that was the way we were going.”

The Packers haven’t been able to take advantage of having arguably the league’s best starting quarterback. Rodgers put up big numbers in the Week 11 loss, completing 70 percent of his passes for 332 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 128.8 passer rating. He’s been picked off just once this season.

A loss on the road against the Vikings in Week 12 would really end the Packers’ playoff chances. Green Bay needs a win in Chicago in Week 15, as well.

The Vikings and Bears are the only two teams left on the Packers’ schedule that currently have a winning record.