Packers rooting guide for Week 17 shows exactly what Green Bay wants and needs from the rest of the NFL slate
Packers can clinch a playoff berth with two scenarios in Week 17.
It’s an intense week in the NFL world. The league will have three games on Thursday with a special Christmas slate, two games on Saturday (including the Green Bay Packers’ one), and several of those in Week 17 have significant playoff implications.
For the Packers, the playoff scenario is pretty straightforward: Beat the Baltimore Ravens (or the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18) and get in. However, there are extra scenarios into play, and the Packers have some other rooting interests.
Vikings over the Lions (Playoff implications)
The Packers have two paths to clinch a playoff berth in Week 17. The first one is, as aforementioned, beating the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night. But the Packers can step on the field with the playoff spot secured. That happens if the Detroit Lions lose to the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday afternoon. That’s not the most likely scenario, especially with Max Brosmer at quarterback with J.J. McCarthy’s hand injury. But this is a rooting guide, not a predictions guide, so Packers fans can root for Minnesota.
49ers over the Bears (Division race)
Despite losing to the Chicago Bears last week, the Packers can still win the NFC North. For that to happen, Green Bay has to win out and lose for Chicago to lose out. The first step is beating the Ravens, and the second is rooting for a San Francisco 49ers’ win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Next week, the Packers play the Vikings, while the Bears play the Lions — so it’s not an absurd possibility.
Bills over Eagles (Seed 2 race)
If the Packers win the NFC North, they can’t get a first-round bye anymore. But the second seed is still on the table, which would give them the opportunity to potentially play at Lambeau Field in the divisional round. Curiously, The Athletic’s playoff predictor doesn’t see any difference in the NFC West teams, but a Buffalo Bills’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles would elevate the Packers’ chances to 11%, while an Eagles win would drop it to 2%.
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