It’s no secret that the Green Bay Packers haven’t enjoyed much playoff success as of late, with just one playoff win in the last five seasons. It almost feels like a yearly tradition for the Packers to find a new unexplainable way to lose a football game in January.
But this is a young team rich in talent, and the gap between first-round disappointment and playoff success is narrower than you might think. All the tools are there; they just need to make good use of them. Which brings us to the first of three things Green Bay must keep in mind now for a festive January 2027.
Maximize the Roster
Obviously, with enough talent, winning becomes much easier, and the Packers have that talent. But last season, we saw three of Green Bay’s biggest stars lost to season-ending injuries. Tucker Kraft went down with a torn ACL in Week 9, severely crippling the short pass game.
Then came Week 15 against the Denver Broncos, where Micah Parsons and Zach Tom left the game with significant knee injuries, causing them to miss the remainder of the season. The already struggling offensive line took another huge blow, and Green Bay’s pass rush was never the same after.
By the start of the offseason, two major positions were lacking: interior defensive line and cornerback. Brian Gutekunst addressed both in the offseason, picking up veteran Javon Hargrave in free agency and drafting Brandon Cisse. The Packers also drafted the promising Chris McClellan and Domani Jackson to further bolster these positions of need.
As it stands, Green Bay has legitimate playmakers at nearly every position. Jordan Love will continue to command the dynamic offense with his young receiving corps, and Micah Parsons will return soon enough to lead the fast-paced defense under new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
After shedding expensive free agents and revamping the roster, the Packers must worry about a daunting division, along with the rest of their regular-season opponents. It’s hard to win playoff games when you go into them having to face off against the two-seed every year. To have the best shot at making a run in January, winning the NFC North is of utmost importance.
Get Off To A Fast Start
Last year, the Packers got off to a promising start with a 9-3-1 record. Another strong start will be vital again to secure a high enough seed to host a playoff game. In 2020 and 2021, the last two years Green Bay had a high seed, they posted a 9-3 record through the first 12 games.
Key matchups outside the division this year include hosting the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans, and visiting the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots. Green Bay must win at least two of these and finish 4-2 or better in the NFC North to have a real shot at the division title.
Either the Detroit Lions or the Chicago Bears will likely finish with at least 12 wins. Even the Minnesota Vikings could surprise everyone after adding Kyler Murray to a roster capable of going on a run. Minnesota got off to a 4-8 start last year but finished with five wins. The Packers could go 12-5, but they must start hot and not drop stinkers against bad teams like we saw last season.
Do Better Than the Seventh Seed
Alright, it’s playoff time. Ideally, the Packers sit in the top four seeds and host a playoff game. They cannot afford to be the seventh seed for the fourth consecutive year. From what we’ve seen in seasons past, paired with the current NFC competition, Green Bay will likely host a team like Chicago or the San Francisco 49ers. Despite Lambeau losing much of its aura as one of the hardest places to play in January, the elements will still be a factor.
Special teams cannot, at any point, decide the outcome. If the mishaps continue, the Packers will likely lose. Matt LaFleur will have to call a smart game with few errors in the play-calling department. Green Bay must start fast and continue dialing up aggressive plays well into the second half, as they did effectively against the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. That’s the formula for winning one or more playoff games.
What Constitutes A Successful Season For Green Bay?
Packers fans may have split opinions on what would qualify as a successful 2026 season. Some may say “Lombardi or bust,” while others would just be happy to win a game or two in January. Either way, some level of playoff success is a must after two straight seasons of pure disappointment. Maybe 2024 felt excusable after losing to the eventual Super Bowl champions, but this past year’s defeat felt like a major step in the wrong direction for such a young team with so much upside.
Winning football games in the NFL isn’t easy, but Green Bay has all the tools to do so. They’ve shown plenty of flashes in the regular season. It may only be a matter of time before everything comes together. The key to making that hope a reality is a bit of good injury luck and a deep focus on key details early in the season.
