Green Bay Packers: With a Tough Schedule, Do They Still Have a Shot at Playoffs?

Add another downswing to the Packers and their up-and-down season.

Sunday the Packers lost to their division rivals, the Detroit Lions and it was awful to say the least. Aaron Rodgers was injured in the first half and diagnosed with a concussion. Matt Flynn came in to fill the role at quarterback, but the outcome was not pretty.

Now Green Bay sits at 8-5 and is currently on the outside looking in for a playoff spot. With Chicago losing to New England, the Packers are still only one win and one Bears loss away from having a shot at the division. They are also close in the wild-card race, trailing the Saints, Giants and Bucs for a spot.

While the Saints seem out of reach at 10-3, the Giants and Bucs are not. New York plays Minnesota Monday night and a loss to the Vikings would leave an interesting stretch run for the Packers.

Green Bay has arguably the toughest schedule down the stretch. Next week they play the Patriots followed by a meeting with the Giants before traveling back to Lambeau field to play Chicago.

Regardless of what they are capable of on offense, Green Bay is going to have to come up with some serious magic if they want to make it into the playoffs. It has been tough to deal with the injuries, however the NFL season does not take excuses and the Packers will have to make do with what they have these final three weeks.

The first stop is in New England where Tom Brady and Bill Belichick haven't lost a game in a couple years. This game will be a true test of character, and if Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the Packers will always have a shot. The trick to beating the Patriots is getting to Brady though and Green Bay has had trouble in the past couple games getting pressure on the quarterback.

The one positive will be the test of strength and character Green Bay will face. If they can beat New England, they can beat anybody. A huge boost of confidence could be just what the Packers need to propel them on a big run down the stretch and into the playoffs.