Developers received an early Christmas present that could change dramatically in the coming weeks - Yahoo!

The Green Bay Packers suffered two straight losses to the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears, not only because of the results, but because they had to deal with several serious injuries, including star edge rusher Micah Parsons, who was out for the season.

Packers receive an early Christmas gift that could dramatically change the game over the next few weeks

The Green Bay Packers suffered two devastating losses in a row to the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears, not only because of the results, but mostly because of the crazy injuries they had to deal with, including star tight end Micah Parsons, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, and quarterback Jordan Love, who left the Bears' game on Saturday.

But it's not all bad news for Green Bay.Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers gave the Packers a huge early Christmas present with a victory over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, a result that dramatically changes Green Bay's outlook for a ranking.

If the Lions win the game, the Packers' playoff chances drop to 70%.They need wins against the Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings;Otherwise, they need losses from the Lions in their final week against the Vikings and Bears.

According to The Athletic's playoff prognosticator, the Packers have a 94% chance of making the playoffs.There will be a win over the Ravens or Vikings and Green Bay. After making the playoffs the last two years, the Lions have a 6% chance.

While it's not the most likely scenario at this point, especially with J.J. McCarthy injured, the Packers could enter Saturday night with a playoff spot.For that to happen, the Lions would need to lose to the Vikings on "Thursday Night Football."

NFC North Tournament

With a comeback win over the Packers and a Lions loss over the Steelers, the Bears are already in a playoff spot.Additionally, they have a 92% chance to win the NFC North for the first time since 2018. They need a win over the San Francisco 49ers or Detroit Lions in the final two weeks to win the division.

If the Bears lose, the Packers still have a chance to win the division if they lead the standings.

The most likely scenario, however, is for the Packers to end up with the seventh seed to face the Bears again at Soldier Field.

Those final two weeks of the regular season will be intense, but Rodgers made it much more palatable for the Packers.

This story was originally published by A to Z on December 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section.Add A to Z as a Favorite Source by clicking here.