The Packers opened the 2010 National Football League season as a popular pick to win the NFC North and represent the conference at Super Bowl XLV in Dallas.

Now, after a stunning 7-3 loss at Detroit, the Packers are 8-5 and could very possibly miss the postseason all together.

Right now, the Packers are the eighth team in the NFC, with the top six advancing to the playoffs; the three division champions, two Wild Card teams and whichever team has the fewest losses in the NFC West.

As it stands, the Packers' best chance to make the postseason would be to win out, hope for the Bears to stumble before the two rivals meet in the season finale at Lambeau Field.

The Packers would have been in good shape had they won today. Chicago was beaten handily by the Patriots at Soldier Field. A Packers victory would have created a tie atop the division.

Next week, Chicago travels to Minnesota to face the Vikings (5-7, pending their rescheduled game Monday against the New York Giants) on Monday Night Football, then return home to host the Jets (9-4) on Dec. 26. Green Bay, meanwhile, travels to New England next week and hosts the Giants (8-4) on Dec. 26 in a key intra-conference matchup.

The Vikings game could go a long way in determining how the NFC North plays out. If the Bears beat Minnesota, the Packers would have no tie-breaker advantage over the Bears, and would need to win the division outright.

Should the Bears hold on to their division lead, the Packers could really be in trouble.

Both Atlanta, which beat the Packers wo weeks ago, and defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans are battling for the NFC South. Whichever team doesn't win the division will probably wind up with one of the two wild card spots.

Out in the dreadful NFC West, the division race between Seattle and St. Louis, both 6-7 at the moment, isn't likely to have any bearing on the wild card leaving a bit of a jumble between Philadelphia, the Giants, Tampa Bay and Green Bay.

Philadelphia's victory Sunday night against Dallas improved the Eagles to 9-5, giving them a half-game lead over the Giants (who face Minnesota Monday night) in the NFC East.

The Packers currently hold the head-to-head tie-breaker with the Eagles, who the face New York again this week. The Packers could help their chances by beating the Giants in Week 15.

Tampa Bay (8-5) didn't face the Packers this season, but holds the tie-breaker advantage thanks to a better record against conference opponents.

With three weeks to go, a lot can happen. But the Packers best option at this point is to simply win out and hope the Bears stumble along the way.