Packers in the Playoffs? Are you kidding me?

Is the NFC that bad?  Oh yes… it is.  The chances are somewhat slim, but the green & gold could see some January action.  It is possible.  The Bears will certainly be looking to keep their rivals out of the postseason, it’s the only thing they have left to play for.  However, there is some advantage to Chicago throwing the game.  The Bears have nothing to lose, save some momentum.  They also have the advantage of letting the Packers in the playoffs to throw another weak team into the fold.  If the Packers get in and play someone like Seattle or Dallas in the 1st round, who knows what could happen.  They could even win.  Either way, one would think that a young, unexperienced, poorly coached team with a reckless QB would be a much better matchup for teams than a potentially explosive team like St Louis or a tough defense like Philly.  There’s also the obvious fact that the Bears don’t want to risk hurting somebody.  They have enough injuries on defense as it is… my gut tells me they will be sitting a good number of players.

Anyway, here’s the skinny on how the Packers can make it to the playoffs.  Maybe one last run at it for Favre (or some extra incentive to come back next year, aside from chasing Marino).

For scenarios 1-4 to work, Green Bay must also WIN:
(winning teams in bold)
1. NY Giants @ Washtington + GB clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over NYG – You never know, the Redskins will want to play spoiler

2. NY Giants @ Washtington (or tie) AND St Louis @ Minnesota (or tie) – I can’t see Minnesota winning… but the Rams have been bad the 2nd half of the year

3. NY Giants @ Washtington (or tie) AND Carolina @ New Orleans – Saints have nothing to play for (can’t move up/down in seeding) but they still might give the pathetic Panthers a run

4. NY Giants @ Washtington (or tie) AND Atlanta @ Philly – I suppose the Atlanta game could go either way.  I think it will be tough to beat the Eagles right Or

5. Green Bay @ Chicago (tie)  AND NY Giants @ Washtington AND St Louis @ Minnesota AND Atlanta @ Philly (or tie) AND Carolina @ New Orleans (or tie) – that’s too wacky a scenario to really be possible.

As for that strenght of victory business – it’s even worse: Green Bay clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over N.Y. Giants if: Arizona, Detroit, Miami, Minnesota and San Francisco all win and Carolina, Houston and Tampa Bay all lose.

The Journal-Sentinel has a decent write-up on how the Packers can make it to the playoffs – http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=545983