As we hit the final stretch of the regular season, the NFC playoff picture is starting to take real shape-and for the Packers, the path is clearer than ever. With six teams officially out of the mix, the Wild Card race has narrowed, and Green Bay, sitting at 9-4-1, finds itself back in the No. 7 seed. But here's the kicker: with a win over the Bears on Saturday night, they wouldn’t just hold onto a playoff spot-they’d leap all the way back into the No. 2 seed in the conference.
The NFC South, meanwhile, is a one-ticket show. Only the division champ gets in, and that’ll come down to either the Buccaneers or Panthers.
Both teams are sitting at 7-7, and they still have two head-to-head matchups left in the final three weeks. That means only one of them can make the jump, and the other will be watching from home.
It’s a win-the-division-or-go-home scenario, plain and simple.
Now, here’s where things get really interesting for Green Bay: there’s only one team left that can actually catch them and knock them out of the postseason entirely-the Detroit Lions. Sitting at 8-6, the Lions are 1.5 games behind the Packers with three to go.
That gives Green Bay a magic number of two. Any combination of two Packers wins or Lions losses, and Green Bay is officially postseason-bound.
Of course, clinching a spot is one thing-seeding is another. The Packers would love to win the division and secure at least one home playoff game.
And believe it or not, the No. 1 seed is still technically in play. It’s a long shot, but not out of the question.
So let’s break down the handful of games this weekend that will directly impact the Packers’ playoff seeding-and how a couple of grizzled, 40-something quarterbacks might just help them out.
Thursday Night Football: Rams vs. Seahawks
This one’s a heavyweight bout. The winner grabs the lead in the NFC West and, with it, the inside track to the conference’s top seed. For the Packers to sneak into the No. 1 spot, they’ll need to win out and get help-specifically, both the Rams and Seahawks would need to drop two of their final three games, and the 49ers would need to lose one more.
So, who should Green Bay fans be rooting for here? The answer is Seattle.
Why? Because the Seahawks still have to face the Panthers and the 49ers to close out the season-two teams with plenty to play for.
The Rams, on the other hand, finish with the Falcons and Cardinals, both already eliminated. The odds of LA slipping twice down that stretch?
Slim to none. But Seattle?
There’s a path there.
Verdict: Pull for the Seahawks
Saturday Afternoon: Eagles vs. Commanders
This game only enters the equation if the Packers win the NFC North. If Green Bay runs the table, they’re guaranteed at least the No. 2 seed. But if they drop one game and still win the division, they’d fall to the No. 3 seed unless the Eagles also lose one more.
So yes, Packers fans should have an eye on this one. And in this case, it’s time to root for the Commanders to pull off the upset.
Verdict: Go Commies
Sunday Afternoon: Steelers vs. Lions
This is the big one. If the Packers take care of business against the Bears on Saturday night, then a Lions loss here would lock up a playoff spot for Green Bay.
It would also eliminate Detroit from the division race entirely. The Lions could still hang around in the Wild Card picture, but Green Bay would be in-no questions asked.
So yes, Packers fans, it’s time to rally behind the old man under center in Pittsburgh. One more favor from the veteran QB, and Green Bay can start prepping for January football.
Verdict: Let’s go, Steelers
And Don’t Forget: 49ers Watch
For the Packers to have a real shot at the No. 1 seed, they’ll also need the 49ers to lose at least once. If San Francisco wins out and takes the NFC West, they’d edge Green Bay by a half-game. That makes this week’s Niners game a crucial one to monitor.
Interestingly, the Packers will want San Francisco to beat the Bears in Week 17 and potentially take down the Seahawks in Week 18. But for now, their loss needs to come sooner than that. Ideally, this week.
And if everything breaks Green Bay’s way-including a Seahawks win on Thursday and a Colts upset on Monday night-then suddenly, that top seed might not be so far-fetched after all.
Bottom Line
The Packers control their destiny, at least when it comes to getting into the dance. Win two of their last three, or get a little help from the Lions’ opponents, and they’re in. But there’s still plenty of meat on the bone when it comes to seeding-and a few aging quarterbacks might just play a surprising role in how the NFC shakes out.
It’s going to be a wild weekend. Buckle up.