How Important is Division Championship for Packers in Playoffs?
A second win over the Bears would help the Packers get their first division championship under quarterback Jordan Love.
A second showdown with the rival Chicago Bears in three weeks sets up the Green Bay Packers for a possible make-or-break game on Saturday evening.
Win the game, and the Packers put themselves into a division-leading position, which could be vital for any realistic chances of making both the NFC Championship and Super Bowl.
Lose the game, and it’s likely the Packers are in the same position they have been the previous two years with Jordan Love as their starting quarterback, battling for the #6 or #7 seed on the final weeks of the regular season and going on the road the entire postseason.
Since this resurgence of Green Bay Packers football that began in the early 1990’s the Packers have played in 16 wild card games. And even with a division championship, it is highly they would play in the wild card round as either a #2 or #3 seed.
The Packers have a 6-3 record in the nine home games starting with the 1994 Wild Card win over the Detroit Lions. The most recent home wild card game was a 38-13 win over the New York Giants in the 2016 playoffs.
Under Mike Holmgren, Mike Sherman and Mike McCarthy, the Packers played seven home wild card games after winning either the NFC Central or NFC North divisions. The last division champion team that played in the wild card round was that 2016 team that eventually made the NFC Championship game before losing on the road to the Atlanta Falcons.
Packers Wild Games Since 1993
| Year | Seed | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 1993 | #6 | at Detroit | Win | 28-24 |
| 1994 | #4 | Detroit | Win | 16-12 |
| 1995 | #3 | Atlanta | Win | 37-20 |
| 1998 | #5 | at San Francisco | Loss | 27-30 |
| 2001 | #4 | San Francisco | Win | 25-15 |
| 2002 | #3 | Atlanta | Loss | 7-27 |
| 2003 | #4 | Seattle | Win | 33-27(ot) |
| 2004 | #3 | Minnesota | Loss | 17-31 |
| 2009 | #5 | at Arizona | Loss | 45-51(ot) |
| 2010 | #6 | at Philadelphia | Win | 21-16 |
| 2012 | #3 | Minnesota | Win | 24-10 |
| 2013 | #4 | San Francisco | Loss | 20-23 |
| 2015 | #5 | at Washington | Win | 35-18 |
| 2016 | #4 | NY Giants | Win | 38-13 |
| 2023 | #7 | at Dallas | Win | 48-32 |
| 2024 | #7 | at Philadelphia | Loss | 10-22 |
Green Bay has played seven road wild card games in that same time span, which was started with a 28-24 win over the Lions in the 1993 playoffs. They are 4-3 in those seven games. The last two years, the Packers under Jordan Love have split their two wild card games; beating the Cowboys 48-32 two years ago, and losing to the Eagles 22-10 last year.
With a 9-4-1 record, the Packers could still finish with an impressive 12-4-1 record by winning the last three games of the season. That would put them into a prime position to be the NFC’s #2 seed. Right now, the best the Eagles can finish is 12-5, which would put them as the NFC’s #3 seed.
Obviously the injury toll from Sunday’s loss at the Denver Broncos makes this task much more challenging. Even without star defensive end Micah Parsons, the Packers must lean on their strengths to be a winning football team.
Keeping the Football
The Packers still lead the NFL in 3rd down conversions at 50.3%. They are also 7th in 4th down conversion percentage. The key to the rest of the season will likely be the offense staying on the field and keeping its defense on the sideline. If the Packers are without Christian Watson for a game or two, they will need big contributions from Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden and/or Jayden Reed in the passing game. All three have shown the ability to make clutch catches when called upon.
How will the defense replace Parsons?
The spotlight will be on edge rushers Rashan Gary, Kingsley Enagbare and Lukas Van Ness. The defense is already without Devonte Wyatt who’s third on the team with 4 sacks. Gary hasn’t had a sack since October and the tandem of Enagbare and Van Ness have just 3.5 sacks. An option could be rushing inside linebackers Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper more often. They combined for 6 sacks last year, but have just 2 sacks this year.
Winning turnover battle
Against the Bears on Saturday, it will be vital for the Packers to win the turnover battle. Despite getting an early takeaway against the Broncos, the offense could not play clean football after two Jordan Love interceptions in the second half. In last week’s win over the Bears, the Packers broke out even in turnovers, but the Bears thrive on turnovers, as they lead the league with 30 takeaways. Winning the turnover battle 1-0 or 2-0 could be the key to beating its rival.
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Mitch McLaughlin is a Packers fan and shareholder residing in Sacramento, California. He will be writing Packers stories each week on Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter: @McLaughlinMitch
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Comments (35)
Since'61
December 16, 2025 at 07:37 pm
Yes, the scenario in this article is entirely possible for the Packers. However, I prefer to focus on one game at a time. Beat the Bears this week before thinking about the next 2 games.
The reality is that the Packers are a team that is physically beaten up at this point and they will be facing 2 physical opponents in their next 2 games. Beyond that the Packers are basically in a playoff mode after their loss to the Broncos. Even finishing 11-5-1 the Packers could miss the playoffs. Or they could lose the division and go into the playoffs as a wild card team. The unnecessary losses to the Browns and Panthers are proving costly at this point in the season.
Despite their injuries the Packers will need to play a near perfect game to beat the Bears in Chicago on Saturday. It’s tough for any team to defeat the same opponent in a 2 week span. Tough challenge for MLF and the coaching staff. We’ll see if they can rise to the occasion and get their players to do the same. GPG! Thanks, Since ‘61
Starrbrite
December 16, 2025 at 09:19 pm
Well stated ‘61—as always!
Snap the ball
December 16, 2025 at 09:38 pm
It’s tough to win any game. Doesn’t matter 1 week 2 weeks
It’s the fundamentals and a few tweeks or pretend tweeks
Houndog
December 17, 2025 at 07:38 am
Right on, Since'61,
but I'll take your last two sentences and combine them to say that getting the players to rise to the occasion has too often been a tough challenge for MLF.
Fortunately, or maybe not, playing down to the competition should not be a factor this week.
Green Bay Shareholder
December 17, 2025 at 12:24 pm
1000 %, been great with umbrellas when the sun is shining. True leaders welcome these opportunities, we'll find out what kind of TEAM and coaching we truly have.
Since'75
December 17, 2025 at 08:02 pm
How times have changed.
I remember a stretch of 30 years where we almost always had faith
I even remember a stretch of some 2 decades before that where we celebrated being a .500 team and ecstatic, if we made the playoffs
I would read these in the Journal/Sentinel all the time.
Parsons wasn't here last year, and they didn't plan for him this season in mini camp, OTA's and training camp until Aug. 28th.
They had a plan last year, this off season without Parsons...carry that out, make def. changes where Hafley desires, and play football.
This doesn't reflect this article or comments, just generally.
So much Packer doom and gloom on Wisconsin sports radio.
This is the NFL, people are injured and go on IR all the time, it's life in the NFL.
I'm sick and ......... tired of reading and hearing all the obituary articles and comments.
Again, we had more than a few injuries on the 2010 team.
What happened to that team.
Maybe they lose out, maybe they run the table, i don't know, no one does.
I don't want to hear about the refs, or the injuries.
Lets put down the tissue's and play football.
Winning is a mentality, maybe the offense has to score more points, maybe the defense has to create more turnovers, whatever.
Go out and do it.
You man up, and you do the best you can!!
I'm ready for Saturday night!
Tex49
December 17, 2025 at 09:37 pm
Amen, brother!
Starrbrite
December 18, 2025 at 12:22 am
I’m with ‘75 about ARod. But, as Puca Nuca said, some refs have their own agenda/egos.
Since'75
December 18, 2025 at 06:36 am
There are bad calls, no doubt, they are human beings doing a hard job, in 'real' time.
We sit on our couch and watch replays in slow motion, well guess what, refs don't have that luxury.
We also get calls, or non calls, to the Packers benefit, no one bitches then, right?
As far as i'm concerned, mistakes are going to happen, but at the end of the day, i call it a wash.
Don't leave the game up to the refs.
- The voice of reason
splitpea1
December 16, 2025 at 07:55 pm
It's essential. I've heard a few fans reference the 2010 season, but that team had a better DL, OL, pass rush (than we do now at this point in the season), and CBs. It would be a pretty tall order for our current team to win three road games against the top competition; possible but not likely. Don't forget that we also lost Kraft, who could have been a big game-changer for the offense in the postseason.
Snap the ball
December 16, 2025 at 08:33 pm
Why not
We have been in every game why can’t we .
I would say better linebackers I would say better running backs
I would say even better QB at this point. Rodger’s wasn’t Rodger’s till a bit after that.
Overall depth better
O line for what they been through this year. I would say a push
Better play caller….
jannesbjornson
December 17, 2025 at 12:42 pm
McKinney is not Nick Collins.
Since'75
December 17, 2025 at 08:34 pm
Yea, Rodgers wasn't Rodgers till after he won a SB and SB MVP in his 3rd season starting.
When Love wins 3 playoff games in a row on the road, and then the SB, then....come talk to me.
Tex49
December 17, 2025 at 09:40 pm
Yes the fearsome Frank Zombo scared opposing QBs to the point of tears!
LetsGoPack
December 16, 2025 at 09:06 pm
Winning the division is critical for any sort of Packers playoff success. To be frank though the NFC is not really that good. Rams are good however not a juggernaut. Philadelphia offence is mediocre and Seahawks are not really not that intimidating. 44yo Philip Rivers almost beat them. If we can win the NFC North and have some home playoff games we have a chance.
Beat the Bears!
Since'75
December 17, 2025 at 08:40 pm
YES!
Straight talk.
Winning Mentality
bjb2012sime
December 16, 2025 at 09:20 pm
Obviously losing Micah neuters the pass rush, but the secondary effect is in......the secondary. I've been worried about our CBs all year long but now they will really be under fire. Hoping for the best, but anticipating the worst.
Starrbrite
December 16, 2025 at 09:25 pm
I believe winning the division is the crucial catalyst to propel us forward. I don’t trust (at all) a Wildcard prospect.
Our backs are literally against the wall, but all is not lost.
Go Packers!!!
Snap the ball
December 16, 2025 at 09:45 pm
Look for Ben trick plays again
Extra linemen
Run same run play different looks to see who bites ….
Fundamentally sound football we will win.
Snap the ball
December 16, 2025 at 09:56 pm
The pressure is on the Bears.
Control the clock good fundamentals
KNOW YOUR ASSIGNMENTS
WIN
that easy
BuckyBadger
December 16, 2025 at 10:00 pm
Winning the division is very important. Gets you a home playoff game and more importantly I get bragging rights at the local watering hole.
Snap the ball
December 16, 2025 at 10:04 pm
Tunney guard is good but I think his stance is two wide sometimes and can overpower him
Also I think he due for a holding penalty ….
Bull rush finesse moves and quickness beats him…
Brewcity_BearsFan
December 16, 2025 at 10:44 pm
Thuney has been arguably the second best acquisition of the off season, behind only Parsons. Only thing he is due, is All Pro consideration.
jannesbjornson
December 17, 2025 at 12:45 pm
Mahomes definitely missed him this season and then Trey Smith went down. A game of attrition.
WorseWisconsin
December 17, 2025 at 12:23 pm
The Bears O-line is much better than the previous 6 seasons, and the trade for Thuney is one of the big reasons (as well as signing Dalman, Wright's growth, and competent depth at LT with a promising rookie in Trapillo). The O-line isn't great, but I wouldn't count on exploiting the Bears O-line being a winning strategy.
The Bears biggest weakness are the starters at D-line. Sweat and Dexter are above-average lineman and solid players, and Billings is an underrated run-stuffing DT. But everyone else is either unproven or past their prime (Jarrett), and there's really nobody on that D-line that worries any opponent.
Snap the ball
December 16, 2025 at 10:06 pm
Need to win 4 feet either side of the center.
We have quickness bull rush guys and finesse guys
Need to take the battle to those spots
And contain the edge
WorseWisconsin
December 17, 2025 at 12:44 pm
"Need to win 4 feet either side of the center.
We have quickness bull rush guys and finesse guys"
So ... the strategy is to attack one of the biggest strengths of the '25 Bears offense (the interior O-line, with 2 potential pro-bowlers)?
That's a great strategy...for getting the Bears to an 11-4 record :)
The only area there that kinda makes sense to test is LT, since Trapillo is a rookie. But I'd expect Ben Johnson to anticipate that and counter it with a lot of 12 personnel, with Kmet providing blocking/chipping help to Trapillo. With Odunze projected to be Out for this game, going with a lot of 12 personnel makes a ton of sense anyways.
And the GB defensive backend doesn't have anyone that matches up well with Moore, Burden and Loveland.
GB does have better overall talent, but the Bears appear to match up well.
Houndog
December 17, 2025 at 07:51 am
Like Mike Holmgren said
"Its play-off time, its not about the X's and O's anymore, you already know them. Now, you look across the line of scrimmage at the guy you're responsible for, and you kick his ass"!
Packerpasty
December 17, 2025 at 10:21 am
I would love a Mike Holmgren right now...
TXCHEESE
December 17, 2025 at 08:11 am
Just Beat the Bears!
Packers0808
December 17, 2025 at 08:39 am
If the DBs can hold onto an interception or two this could be a real changer. They really should have had 3 picks that essentially went through their hands against the Broncos. If those were caught Pack most likely would have won that game. GPG!
LambeauPlain
December 17, 2025 at 10:00 am
"The key to the rest of the season will likely be the offense staying on the field and keeping its defense on the sideline."
Back to the mantra of the Barry Ball daze. And necessary again.
Packerpasty
December 17, 2025 at 10:22 am
Time for MLF and the rest of his staff to earn their money....we'll soon see how they have this team prepared...
WorseWisconsin
December 17, 2025 at 03:23 pm
Bottom lines:
* There are 4 teams (49ers, Bears, Lions, Packers) competing for 3 playoff spots (NFCn winner, WC#6, WC#7).
* Each of these teams is playing playoff contenders, including each other:
- 49ers: Bears (and Colts + Seahawks)
- Bears: Packers, 49ers, Lions
- Lions: Bears (and Steelers)
- Packers: Bears (and Ravens)
* Lions have the longest odds and need the most help, but also have the easiest remaining schedule.
* There's a decent chance an 11-win team doesn't make the playoffs, for only the 3rd time in NFL history.
* 3-way tiebreakers are different than 1:1. If it came to that, the 49er v Bears game is huge.
Starrbrite
December 18, 2025 at 12:25 am
An excellent post WW.