FWIW they didn't NEED a 6 game winning streak to make the playoffs this year either. They just ended up with one. They had a playoff spot clinched before the kickoff on week 17 vs the Lions.
Not to put too fine a point on it then; they needed help and to win. Although the way it ended up, the Lions game was for the division.
Point remains; in a weak conference that was ripe for the taking, and with an all time great QB playing out of his mind, they still couldn't get it done. So now Brady has the most SB wins, and Rodgers holds the record for most consecutive seasons in the playoffs without making it to the Super Bowl.