Packers' Rooting Guide for 2022 NFL Draft Implications of Week 16

The Green Bay Packers are teetering on the edge of playoff elimination going into Week 16.

Green Bay's focus over the next few weeks could be on its draft position instead of hopelessly chasing down a wild-card position in the NFC.

A loss to the Miami Dolphins on Christmas Day would end any playoff hopes and fully shift the focus to 2023.

Before the Packers play on Sunday, they could use some help from teams involved in the Saturday games to improve their draft stock.

Green Bay currently holds the No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. There is still hope to land a top-10 pick and that can be aided by a few results in the Packers favor.

Raiders over Steelers

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Nate Hobbs #39 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The good news for Green Bay is that at least one of the other 6-8 teams will be cleared out of the way on Saturday.

The Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers face each other on Saturday night.

Pittsburgh appears to be the team in better shape to win at home, but the Packers could use a Raiders win.

The Raiders have the worst strength of schedule out of the four 6-8 teams. That put the Raiders at No. 10 in the draft order entering Week 16. Pittsburgh

Las Vegas finishes the season against the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. Saturday may be the last real opportunity for the Raiders to win.

Pittsburgh is one spot ahead of Green Bay in the draft order, but it also has two winnable games left in the AFC North against the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns.

Green Bay would love for Las Vegas to earn a win on Saturday and then for Pittsburgh to win at least one divisional game to clear the path to a potential top 10 pick.

Browns over Saints

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CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 17: Running back Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns runs during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Ravens 13-3. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The more 6-8 teams win, the better for the Packers draft stock.

Cleveland plays host to the New Orleans Saints on Saturday afternoon in a game the Browns should try their best to win.

The Browns do not own their first-round pick. That selection transfers to the Houston Texans.

Cleveland has no desire to lose and improve its draft stock and a win could keep its faint playoff hopes alive.

The Browns beat the Baltimore Ravens last week to move to 6-8. They could make an outside push for a playoff spot since they finish with Washington and Pittsburgh.

New Orleans is further ahead of Green Bay in the draft order, but the goal in this game is to have Cleveland win to clear out as many 6-8 teams that are in front of the Packers as possible.

Panthers over Lions

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 18: Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

Rooting for a Carolina Panthers win over the Detroit Lions carries two purposes for Packers fans.

First, a win would drag Carolina down in the draft order from No. 8 and it could be overtaken by the Packers.

Secondly, a Panthers win would hurt the Lions' chances of landing a playoff berth.

Detroit is hovering around the final NFC wild-card spot and a loss could seriously damage its playoff chances.

Green Bay can add to Detroit's misery with a win in Week 18. For now, the Packers should root for the Panthers so that their draft number improves a bit and the Lions suffer after winning six of their last seven.