The results of games earlier in Week 17 provided a clear path for the Green Bay Packers entering Sunday night’s primetime battle against the Minnesota Vikings.
If the Packers win at U.S. Bank Stadium, a victory over the Chicago Bears next Sunday at Lambeau Field will clinch a playoff spot as a wildcard team in the NFC.
If the Packers lose, they will be officially eliminated from playoff contention entering Week 18.
It’s that simple at this point. Winning is the only reasonable path forward.
Matt LaFleur’s team got some help earlier Sunday. The Bears took down the Atlanta Falcons and the Pittsburgh Steelers went into Seattle and upset the Seahawks, opening up the Packers’ path to the postseason with wins over the Vikings and Bears.
But they didn’t get perfect help. The Los Angeles Rams beat the New York Giants after Mason Crosby missed a late field goal, so a Packers loss to the Vikings would now knock them out of playoff contention.
The Packers are in a position of controlling their own destiny. Wins over the Vikings and Bears are all that is required for the Packers to clinch a playoff spot, but the first step must be completed on Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
The Packers were in a similar position last year but lost the season finale to the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. A chance to avenge that failure will be created if the Packers can escape Minneapolis victorious.