The Green Bay Packers’ hopes for securing a playoff spot took a hit in Week 17 with a disappointing loss to the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, the Packers now find themselves in a precarious position heading into Week 18, needing a combination of their own victory and some outside help to clinch the sixth seed in the NFC playoffs. This has set the stage for a dramatic finale to the regular season.

The Packers’ loss dropped their record to 11-5, leaving them in a tight race for playoff positioning. On Sunday Night Football, the Washington Commanders emerged victorious over the Atlanta Falcons, winning 30-24 in overtime. This victory also pushed the Commanders to an 11-5 record, but with a better conference record, they leapfrogged the Packers, pushing Green Bay down in the NFC seeding.

Now, with only one week left in the regular season, the Packers must win their game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field to have any shot at making the playoffs. But securing a win will not be enough. Green Bay will also need the Commanders to lose their Week 18 matchup in order to claim the sixth seed. This is where the Packers’ hopes of reaching the playoffs hinge on the actions of another team—and more specifically, one former coach.

Enter Mike McCarthy.

The former Packers head coach, now at the helm of the Dallas Cowboys, will be facing off against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium in Week 18. Green Bay’s playoff chances are now tied to McCarthy’s ability to lead the Cowboys to victory. If Dallas can defeat Washington, the Packers will have a shot at finishing the season with a better record than the Commanders, thus securing the coveted sixth seed in the NFC playoffs.

Even though the Cowboys have already been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, there are several reasons for optimism. McCarthy and his entire coaching staff are fighting for their jobs, and Week 18 represents their last opportunity to prove that they deserve to remain in their positions. Additionally, the Cowboys have been playing strong football as of late, winning four of their last six games, including a 34-26 victory over the Commanders in Week 12. With the stakes high, McCarthy’s squad will likely be motivated to end the season on a high note and play spoiler to Washington’s playoff hopes.

If the Packers manage to secure the sixth seed, they will face a much more favorable matchup in the wild card round, likely going up against the Los Angeles Rams or Tampa Bay Buccaneers—teams that are considered more beatable. However, if Green Bay fails to reach the sixth seed, their path to the Super Bowl becomes much more difficult, as they would be forced to face the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles in the first round, with the possibility of subsequent games against formidable foes like the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.

This week, Packers fans will once again find themselves rooting for Mike McCarthy in a way that evokes memories of their past successes. While Green Bay is focused on their own performance against the Bears, their postseason dreams rely on the Cowboys pulling off a win over Washington, which would create a much easier path for the Packers to make a deep playoff run.

However, the most likely outcome may mirror the scenario from 2023, when the Packers ultimately secured the seventh seed despite falling short in their hopes of a higher seeding. Even with an additional two wins in 2024, Green Bay’s playoff fate might still hinge on the whims of other teams, setting up a tense and unpredictable conclusion to the regular season.

As the Packers head into Week 18, there is no shortage of drama surrounding their playoff hopes. Fans will be watching closely, hoping for a win over the Bears and a little help from Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys. The stakes are high, and the Packers’ fate is now tied to a combination of their own success and the outcomes of others, making this final week of the regular season one to remember.