The Inexperienced Bay Packers are in must-win territory forward of their Week 17 recreation in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings (7-8), and issues will probably be just a little tougher than anticipated.
On Wednesday, Inexperienced Bay misplaced two-time Professional Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander by means of a one-game, team-imposed suspension for a really uncommon purpose.
The previous first-round decide should not have been on the sphere for the pregame coin toss, and the state of affairs was nearly much more disastrous when he referred to as tails, received the toss and mentioned, “I need our protection on the sphere.” Happily for the Packers, head coach Matt LaFleur advised the referees earlier than the competition that if the Packers received the coin flip, they might defer.
If LaFleur hadn’t taken that step, the official might’ve misunderstood Alexander’s phrases, resulting in the Carolina Panthers getting the ball to begin each halves.
After the sport, LaFleur referred to as the defensive again’s antics a “large mistake.”
That large mistake may very well be expensive for the Packers.
Per NFL.com’s playoff image, Inexperienced Bay (7-8) presently has a 26% likelihood to make the playoffs, however that determine would bounce to 56% with a win and fall to 1% with a loss. In the meantime, if the Packers knock off their NFC North rivals, Minnesota’s postseason likelihood would go from 29% to five%, but when the Vikings win, their probabilities would go to 51%.
Minnesota’s shot at a win on Sunday night time seemingly took a enormous hit Tuesday when it was introduced that star tight finish T.J. Hockenson suffered a season-ending ACL and MCL damage in Week 16.
