The Green Bay Packers around quarterback superstar Aaron Rodgers can still hope to make the playoffs. But a lot will have to happen for that to happen.

Hope is spreading among Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Confidence.

Even if the playoffs are still a long way off. But with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the race for a postseason spot would have been a dead end already.

But now hope is indeed alive.

ESPN Analytics puts the chances at 12.2 percent, the website “FiveThirtyEight” at eight percent, “The Athletic” at seven. One thing is clear: it’s not a foregone conclusion. But after the second win in a row against the Rams, Rodgers never tired of radiating optimism.

Aaron Rodgers: “Things are looking good “

“We got two wins, and pretty much everything we needed to do, we did. Pretty much, right? So things are looking good,” he said. He also confirmed that the energy had got “a bit better”. “I’ve said it before: we can beat anyone. But we can also lose to anyone. But when you win a couple of times in a row, it gives you a bit of confidence.”

But how good does it really look?

The prerequisite for any arithmetic is that the Packers win their three remaining games, in which case they would be at a 9-8 record.

The opponents: the Dolphins at Miami, then two at home against the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions for Amon-Ra St. Brown.

“They’re all good football teams,” Rodgers said. “Miami is playing for the playoffs. Minnesota is a division winner and just got a big win. Detroit has won six of seven games; they’re playing really well. So it’s going to be a tough three games.” One advantage according to Rodgers: “Two of them are home games against dome teams. Those two games are in January. We’ve always been pretty good in those games the last couple of years.” It can get uncomfortable at Lambeau Field then. Atmospherically and temperature-wise.

Green Bay Packers: Not just wins are enough

It’s not enough just three wins, though, the Packers need shooting help. Rodgers and Co. are in tenth place in the NFC and need to get past three teams in the New York Giants (8-5-1), Washington Commanders (7-6-1), Seattle Seahawks (7-7) and Detroit Lions (7-7).

The Giants would have to lose it all, the Commanders two games, the Seahawks one.

And: The Packers would have to keep an eye on the Lions, because they have the edge in the tiebreaker by winning the first duel. Even with a Packers win and a tie, the “Strength of Victory” could end up in favour of the Lions. So ideally, the Lions also lose two games.

Green Bay Packers: Do your homework

As I said, the math games are moot if the Packers don’t do their own homework. They face the Dolphins next. “This game is very important because it’s away. The Dolphins have a very strong offence. They’ve been a little inconsistent the last couple of weeks. Maybe we’ll catch them at a good time. We’ll see,” Rodgers said.

He believes the Packers can win their last three games, saying, “We’re still playing three of the better football teams, but I believe it. Absolutely. “