The Green Bay Packers are starting to find their stride, and they picked a pretty good time to do it.
Just four days after a dominant 23-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12, the Packers rolled into Thanksgiving Day with confidence and walked out of Detroit with a 31-24 win over the Lions. That victory not only marked their second over Detroit this season, but it also completed their first season sweep of their longtime NFC North rival since 2020.
And while the scoreboard says it was a one-possession game, the Packers controlled the tempo for most of the afternoon. The offense clicked early, and the defense came up with timely stops when it mattered. With that win, Green Bay moved to a perfect 3-0 within the division-no small feat in a group that’s suddenly looking like one of the most competitive in the NFC.
Now, here's where things get interesting.
Had the Chicago Bears stumbled on Black Friday against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, the Packers would’ve taken over the top spot in the NFC North. But the Bears had other plans.
They not only held their own against Philly-they beat them convincingly, 24-15, extending their win streak to five games, their longest in seven years. With that victory, Chicago improved to 9-3 and leapfrogged the Eagles in the NFC playoff picture, jumping into the No. 2 seed while dropping Philly to No.
And the ripple effects didn’t stop there.
On Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams dropped a tight one to the Carolina Panthers, falling to 9-3. That loss, combined with Chicago’s superior conference record, vaulted the Bears into the top overall seed in the NFC. That’s right-at this moment, the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC runs through Chicago.
For Packers fans, that’s a tough pill to swallow. But here’s the silver lining: Green Bay still controls its own destiny.
The Packers and Bears are set to face off twice in the next three weeks-first at Lambeau Field this Sunday, then again in Chicago in Week 16. Those two games could very well determine not just the NFC North crown, but also who ends up with the No. 1 seed in the conference.
And we haven’t even touched the wild-card race yet.
Where the Packers Stand in the NFC Playoff Picture
Heading into Week 14, the Packers sit in the No. 6 spot in the NFC playoff standings. Here’s how the top 10 stack up after Sunday’s Week 13 action:
- Chicago Bears (9-3, 1st NFC North)
- Los Angeles Rams (9-3, 1st NFC West)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-4, 1st NFC East)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5, 1st NFC South)
- Seattle Seahawks (9-3, 2nd NFC West)
- Green Bay Packers (8-3-1, 2nd NFC North)
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4, 3rd NFC West)
- Detroit Lions (7-5, 3rd NFC North)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1, 2nd NFC East)
- Carolina Panthers (7-6, 2nd NFC South)
Green Bay’s Thanksgiving win was more than just a feel-good moment-it was essential. A loss would have knocked them out of the top seven entirely. Instead, they’ve built themselves a little breathing room heading into the final stretch.
But that cushion might not last long.
The Packers are staring down one of the most grueling remaining schedules in the league. Beyond their two games against the surging Bears, they’ve also got a Week 15 showdown with the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos, who just improved to 10-2 after an overtime thriller against Washington.
Then, in Week 17, it’s a clash with the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens, another team that’s been among the league’s most consistent all season. Green Bay wraps up the regular season in Minnesota, where division games never come easy-no matter the records.
What’s at Stake?
For the Packers, every game from here on out carries weight. They’re in the thick of both the division race and the wild-card hunt. And with the Bears currently holding pole position in the NFC, those two head-to-head matchups are shaping up to be season-defining.
There’s no margin for error. But there’s also no shortage of opportunity.
If Green Bay can keep playing the way they did against the Vikings and Lions-balanced, composed, and opportunistic-they’ve got a real shot at making noise in January. The defense is showing signs of life, the offense is finding rhythm, and the coaching staff seems to be dialing up the right calls at the right time.
It’s December football now, and the Packers are right in the thick of it.
Buckle up.