The Green Bay Packers' playoff hopes have certainly taken quite a turn.
A few weeks ago, the Green Bay Packers' playoff hopes were hanging in the balance. They had an incredibly difficult schedule ahead, and they are playing in the toughest division in all of football.
Fast forward to now, and the Packers have dramatically increased their chances of making the postseason courtesy of four straight wins, including three consecutive victories over NFC North opponents.
In fact, The Athletic's playoff simulator has given Green Bay a 95 percent chance of making the playoffs heading into the team's Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Make no mistake: the Packers still have some tough sledding ahead.
Not only are they heading to Denver this Sunday, but they then have to travel to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears the following week. Green Bay is then at home against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 before closing out the regular season on the road versus the Minnesota Vikings.
There really isn't a single easy game on that remaining schedule, but look at it this way: the Packers' last three weeks have been brutal, as well.
Green Bay has reeled off wins over the Vikings (home), Detroit Lions (road) and Bears (home) in its last three games, vaulting itself back into first place in the NFC North.
The Packers have been playing some of their best football of the season, and they appear to be rounding into form at the perfect time.
Top wide receiver Jayden Reed just returned from a collarbone injury this past weekend, marking his first appearance since Week 2. Jordan Love has tossed seven touchdown passes the last two games and has thrown just one interception the last five contests. The defense is as fierce as ever.
Yes, Green Bay sustained some tough injury blows, with both tight end Tucker Kraft and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt being lost for the season, but it comes with the territory in the NFL. The Packers certainly aren't the only team dealing with injury issues.
What's important is how Green Bay finishes relative to other teams who are also banged up, and that includes clubs within the Packers' own division.
We'll see if Green Bay can record a statement win against the Broncos on Sunday.