Fresh off of Sunday’s heartbreaking last-second loss to the Chicago Bears (in a game that didn’t really mean anything, anyway), the Packers officially locked in the 7 seed in the NFC. So where do we go from here?
Well, it’s off to Philadelphia for a second meeting this season with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers will start the season on the road with next Sunday’s game slated for 3:30 p.m. on Fox. The same two teams opened the NFL season in Brazil, with the Eagles taking that game 34-29. According to Potawatomi Sportsbook, the Packers open the week as a +175 underdog in the Wild Card round, and at +1800 future odds to win the Super Bowl (odds subject to change.)
The big story for this game, however, is that both teams are dealing with injuries at quarterback. In Sunday’s loss. The Eagles were already reduced to third-string quarterback this past Sunday, after Jalen Hurts has missed two consecutive games while going through the league’s concussion protocol, and second-string quarterback Kenny Pickett went down the week prior with broken ribs. Tanner Mckee started for Philadelphia on Sunday, but as of right now, it looks as though Hurts is progressing through the five-step concussion protocol in time for Sunday’s playoff opener.
For the Packers, disaster struck in the second quarter, when Jordan Love his his elbow, causing him to miss the second half of the game against the Bears while reportedly losing feeling in his hand. He told reporters after Sunday’s game, though, that he intends on playing against the Eagles next week. In the event that he’s ruled out, though, it would mean Malik Willis would get his first career playoff start. The Packers also lost receiver Christian Watson to a non-contact knee injury on the same drive that Love went down.
If the Packers win on Sunday, they would go to Detroit to face the Lions, who received a first-round bye and would then get to host the lowest remaining seed in the NFC, which would be the Packers in that scenario. The other divisional round game would be the winners of the Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Sunday night, and the Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings game on Monday night.
If you’re looking for a place to cheer on the Packers, well, you won’t have to look far. Here’s our handy dandy Sports Bar Guide, and if you’re travelling, don’t worry, there’s a Packer Bar in every state (and beyond.) Go Pack Go!