As the 2025 NFL season progresses, the Green Bay Packers find themselves in a familiar yet precarious position—on the playoff bubble. Historically one of the NFL’s most consistent playoff contenders, the Packers are now navigating a season filled with ups, downs, and plenty of uncertainty. So, the question lingers for fans and analysts alike: can the Packers make the playoffs this year?
The Packers entered the 2025 season amid a transitional phase. Following the departure of franchise cornerstone Aaron Rodgers in 2023, Green Bay placed its hopes in Jordan Love. Now in his second full season as the starter, Love has shown flashes of brilliance but has also faced growing pains common for young quarterbacks adapting to life in the NFL spotlight.
Green Bay’s offense has undergone significant changes, leaning on a young receiving corps led by Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. Coupled with a backfield tandem of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, the offense has moments where it looks like a playoff-caliber unit. However, consistency has been elusive.
As of late March 2025, the Packers hover around the .500 mark, sitting in the middle of the NFC North standings behind the surging Detroit Lions and the steady Minnesota Vikings. The Chicago Bears are also showing signs of improvement, making the division more competitive than in years past.
The Packers’ remaining schedule is a mixed bag. They have critical matchups against divisional rivals, including a pivotal Week 17 showdown with the Vikings and a season finale at Lambeau Field against the Lions. Non-divisional games against NFC wildcard contenders like the Seahawks and the Rams could serve as virtual “must-win” scenarios to keep their postseason hopes alive.
The NFC is currently wide open. While teams like the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles appear to be front-runners, the wildcard race is tightly contested. The Packers are in the thick of the hunt, competing with the Rams, Seahawks, Buccaneers, and even teams like the Commanders and Falcons, who are lingering around .500 records.
The good news for Green Bay is that no team has fully locked up the lower wildcard spots, leaving the door open for a late-season surge. However, tiebreakers could prove crucial, especially if the Packers drop more divisional games, where they’ve already suffered key losses earlier in the season.
Strengths Working in Green Bay’s Favor
1. Jordan Love’s Development
While Love’s early struggles have been well-documented, he has shown marked improvement in recent weeks. His pocket presence, decision-making, and connection with his young receivers have improved, giving the offense some much-needed rhythm and explosiveness. If Love can maintain this upward trajectory, the Packers’ offense could catch fire down the stretch.
2. Defensive Playmakers
Green Bay’s defense has been a bright spot, led by stars like Jaire Alexander and Rashan Gary. The defense has kept the team in games, particularly when the offense has sputtered. If the unit can continue to create turnovers and clamp down in red-zone situations, it could tilt close games in the Packers’ favor.
3. Coaching Stability
Head coach Matt LaFleur’s steady leadership has helped weather the storm. LaFleur is known for his ability to scheme creatively and adjust on the fly. If anyone can maximize Jordan Love and this young offense for a late-season push, it’s LaFleur.
Despite the positives, the Packers face several obstacles. Injuries have plagued key players, including the offensive line, which has struggled to protect Love consistently. Furthermore, Green Bay’s offense has been one of the league’s most inconsistent, alternating between explosive performances and stagnant showings.
Additionally, their remaining schedule features several playoff-caliber opponents, meaning the Packers can’t afford any missteps. Divisional games are always tough, especially in the rugged NFC North, where cold-weather games and fierce rivalries make every matchup unpredictable.
To secure a playoff spot, the Packers will likely need to win at least four of their remaining six games, ideally sweeping their divisional matchups. They must also capitalize on tiebreaker scenarios by winning head-to-head matchups against other wildcard contenders.
In addition to their own performance, Green Bay will need help from other teams. Losses by the Rams, Seahawks, and other wildcard hopefuls would improve the Packers’ chances. Fans will have one eye on the Packers’ performance and another on the out-of-town scoreboard each week.
The Packers’ playoff hopes are very much alive but far from guaranteed. This is a young team still finding its identity, but the talent is there. If Jordan Love continues to grow, the defense stays stout, and LaFleur can squeeze more out of the offense, Green Bay has a legitimate shot to extend its season into January.
At this point, every game is a playoff game for the Packers. The margin for error is razor-thin, but if there’s one thing Packers fans know, it’s that this franchise has a way of delivering in high-pressure situations.
So, can the Packers make the playoffs? Yes—but only if they can finish strong, stay healthy, and perhaps catch a few breaks along the way.
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