The Green Bay Packers are probably headed to the playoffs.

The Packers improved to 8-2 with their victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, and according to The New York Times' simulator, that win gave Green Bay a 96 percent chance of making the postseason and a 59 percent chance of notching a first-round bye (via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic).

It hasn't always been pretty for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers this season, but they have consistently been one of the best teams in the NFL since Week 1 and appear to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Of course, nothing is guaranteed.

While Green Bay boasts an impressive record, it sits just one game in front of the Minnesota Vikings for first place in the NFC North, and with the San Francisco 49ers at 8-0 and the New Orleans Saints at 7-2, a first-round bye is far from a shoo-in.

Regardless, just making the playoffs will be satisfying for Packers fans this season, and barring an unprecedented collapse over the last six games, Green Bay should at least be accomplishing that feat.

The Packers have missed the postseason each of the last two years, marking the first time Green Bay has failed to qualify for the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 2006.

In order to try and turn things around, the Packers fired long-time head coach Mike McCarthy late last season and eventually brought in Matt LaFleur during the offseason.

While many questioned the LaFleur hire at first, it has certainly paid dividends for Green Bay thus far.