Packers Morning Buzz: Why Green Bay will, won't make playoffs

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.

The Packers (4-5-1) will play a virtual must-win game Sunday at Minnesota (5-4-1), and so we start with Ryan Wood's look at what kind of uphill climb Green Bay is facing to reach the postseason.

Ryan writes:

The Packers return from their extended holiday break when they travel to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night. They can probably afford to lose one more game and still crack the playoffs, though it matters when that loss comes. Specifically, considering how head-to-head tiebreakers would affect the wild-card race, they probably need a win this week.

Even an upset win in Minnesota (the Packers opened as 3.5-point underdogs) would leave plenty of work to do. The Packers have a 16 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight.com. But then, when has Rodgers ever abided by probabilities?

There were six games left when the Packers started their “run-the-table” streak to end 2016. With six to go in 2018, here’s the case for why the Packers won’t and will make the playoffs.

You can read Ryan's entire story here:

Tom Silverstein and Jim Owczarski size up the Packers' chances against the Vikings and the possible repercussions of a loss:

Tight end Jimmy Graham might play Sunday with a broken thumb:

Packers team historian Cliff Christl offers an unmatched perspective on the Packers and their past:

Stadium View bar owner Jerry Watson has died at 72:

The Packers' Kenny Clark is in some good company:

The Rams-Chiefs game Monday night showcased two young guns; here's a ranking of "old" quarterbacks:

And finally, the Bears (8-3) definitely are feeling it ....