Does the Giants have to lose twice in order for the Packers to have a wild-card shot?

Question

Do you also think the Packers are going to make the playoffs? And if the giants have to lose twice. Why? If the giants only have to lose once for the packers to get a shot in the playoffs also why?

Answer 1

No, they don't have to lose twice...I've found at least one scenario where they can win a game and the Packers can still make it....

What you're asking is if the Giants have to lose twice (meaning they'd end at 7-9) for the Packers to make the playoffs.

Assume the Giants win one game, and end at 8-8. You'll later see the one game they need to win in this scenario is the one against the Redskins. Then they'd lose this week against the Saints. The Packers obviously would need to win their last game and also make it to 8-8.

Here's a scenario where the Packers could still make the playoffs:
- Atlanta loses both, going to 7-9 (this means Carolina and Philly win)
- Carolina beats Atlanta and loses to New Orleans. They end 7-9.
- San Francisco loses at least one more game, ending at 7-9
- St. Louis loses at least one more game, ending at 7-9

In this scenario, the Eagles win the #1 wildcard with their record of 9-7 or 10-6. The only two teams tied for the #2 wildcard at 8-8 are the Packers and Giants. So, looking at the Wild Card tiebreaking procedures....
#1 - Head to Head - They did not play
#2 - Conference Record - They would both be 7-5
#3 - Best W-L-T percentage in common games (minimum 4) - If the Giants beat New Orleans but lose to Washington then they will beat the Packers in this. They would be 2-3 and the Packers are 1-4. If they Lose to New Orleans and beat Washington then both teams are 1-4 in this and it goes on to #4 in the tiebreakers.
#4 - Strength of Victory - This comes down to the winning percentage of teams beaten. Currently the Giants have beaten teams with 47 wins and the Packers have beaten teams with 44 wins. With two weeks left, it is conceivable that the Packers wins could surpass the Giants wins. For example, if Detroit can win their last two game and Minnesota can beat St. Louis next week, that would give the Packers 6 more games in the win column (since the Packers beat them both twice).

I didn't include any other teams in the 8-8 mix, but certainly there could be several other teams lumped into the tiebreakers. I'm not sure how the Packers would hold up in those scenarios.

To answer your other question, I don't think it's likely the Packers will make the playoffs, but you never know. That's what makes this time of the year exciting in the NFL. The Bears may be resting players, making it easier to make it to 8-8 and then you'll just have to see how all the other games fall.

Answer 2

The best way for the Pack to get in is for the Giants to lose their remaining two, St. Louis and Atlanta to each get beat once in their remaining two (St. Louis has a relatively easy schedule. I think Atlanta will lose at least one) and Seattle has to either win over San Diego (tough) or beat Tampa Bay (likely). In other words Seattle has to win the division. Then the Pack beats out San Fran because of the head to head win. If this takes place and the Pack beat the Bears, the Pack gets the final wild card spot because of the better NFC record than the other candidates. The Giants have to get beat twice because they are a game better than the Pack and have a better NFC record. The Giants have N.O. at home this week. I don't know who they have in week 17.

Answer 3

Im not sure, but we needed the Pack to beat the Vikings as the 1st help to get into the playoffs. No all we have to do is WIN.

Thanks, Brett!

Answer 4

in order for green bay to get into the playoffs they would need to win their last 2 games and everybody else would have to lose their last 2 games

Answer 5

The Packers need more then that..

They need a true miracle.

Answer 6

yes because of there record.