The Green Bay Packers have won three straight games and are now in a terrific position – even at 7-8 – to steal a playoff spot in the NFC with two weeks to go.
As we outlined here, the Packers only need three results to clinch a playoff berth: Wins over the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions and one more Commanders loss (to either Cleveland Browns or Dallas Cowboys). In another scenario, only four results are required: Wins over the Vikings and Lions and losses by the New York Giants to the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles.
The flip side: the Packers are still living on the brink of elimination.
Matt LaFleur’s team can be eliminated in two specific ways in Week 17:
1. Packers loss to Vikings AND Lions win over Bears
2. Packers loss to Vikings AND Commanders win over Browns
Other elimination scenarios include a tie by either the Packers or the Commanders.
If they beat the Vikings, the Packers cannot be eliminated in Week 17.
Also, a Packers loss to the Vikings doesn’t guarantee the end of the season. If the Lions and Commanders also lose, the Packers will remain alive in Week 18.
Win, and Week 18 means a lot. Lose, and there’s a decent chance the season ends. It’s all pretty simple for the Packers this week.
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