The 200th meeting between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. A cold blustery day in Titletown. A playoff spot on the line. Could it have gotten any bigger on Sunday?

The Green Bay Packers defeated the Chicago Bears on Sunday to bring their record on the season to 11-3. Later that afternoon the Rams lost to the Cowboys to clinch a playoff spot for the Green Bay Packers. The Pack is back in the playoffs after a two-year absence. Not only that, but by defeating the Chicago Bears, the Bears have been eliminated from playoff contention. It was a great day all-around.

Coach Matt LaFleur is the only first-year coach in Packers History to qualify for the playoffs in his first season. But, with two games left to play, there is still plenty to play for and more for this team to accomplish.

First, the Packers can still win the division. This is priority number one for coach LaFleur, Aaron Rodgers and company. To accomplish this goal, they will have to win either next Monday night at Minnesota or the following week in Detroit.

Next would be securing the number two seed in the NFC playoffs. The Packers control their own destiny in winning the division and getting the number two seed. If the Packers win their next two games, at Minnesota and at Detroit, they will get the number two seed and a first-round bye.

With the victory over the Bears on Sunday, the Packers also have a clear path to the number 1 seed in the Playoffs. The odds of them getting the number one seed are slim but there is a chance, and this is the NFL so anything can happen. There are two different scenarios in which the Packers can accomplish this:

Scenario 1:

  • Packers win at Minnesota next week and at Detroit the following week.
  • Rams beat the 49ers next week
  • In the final week of the season, the 49ers than beat the Seahawks

Scenario 2:

  • Packers win at Minnesota next week and at Detroit the following week.
  • The Cardinals beat the Seahawks next week
  • In the final week of the season, the Seahawks then beat the 49ers

In either scenario, the Packers will finish the regular season with a record of 13-3, and secure the number one seed and hold the tie-breaker over the Saints. Either way, the Packers have the opportunity to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs. Getting the number one seed will give the Packers home-field advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs and make the road to the Super Bowl go through Lambeau Field, where the Packers finished 7-1 this season.

There is still plenty to play for with two weeks remaining in the regular season. No matter how things finish, the Packers are back in the Playoffs and the season can be deemed a success. The Pack is Back! Go Pack Go!!

Anthony Haag is a writer for PackersTalk.com. He has been a Packers fan since the day he was born and truly bleeds green and gold. He makes annual visits to Lambeau Field and has attended his fair share of games. You can follow Anthony on Twitter at @anthony_haag