After the Green Bay Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night, their playoff picture become much clearer. Heading into week 16 and their match-up with the Vikings, the Packers could have been anywhere from the 1 seed to the 6th seed on the NFC playoffs. After their dominating defensive performance, one thing is certain right now, they are NFC North Champions.
Winning the division has assured that the Packers will not be a wild-card team and in either the 5th or 6th seed once the playoffs start. There is still plenty to at stake as the NFL heads to the final week of the regular and the Packers head to Detroit to face the Lions.
The Packers have the opportunity to finish anywhere from the 1 seed to the 3 seed. Basically, if the Packers beat the Detroit Lions, they will finish either as the 1 seed or 2 seed. A win is the difference between a first-round bye and home field advantage in the playoffs versus playing in a home wild-card game and then going on the road the rest of the playoffs.
There is plenty at stake throughout the NFL in week 16. The NFC East is still up for grabs between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. The San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings have all clinched playoff berths in the NFC.
Let’s take a look at the Packers remaining playoff scenarios.
How the Packers can obtain the #1 seed?
- Packers beat the Detroit Lions
- Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers
How the Packers can obtain the #2 seed?
- Packers beat the Detroit Lions
- San Francisco 49ers beat the Seattle Seahawks
The Packers and us fans will not only be watching the Packers vs Lions on Sunday, but will also be keeping an eye on the San Francisco / Seattle game. If the Packers beat the Lions, it will all depend on who wins in the San Francisco / Seattle game that will determine the Packers seeding.
How the Packers will end up with the #3 seed?
- Detroit Lions beat Packers
- New Orleans Saints beat Carolina Panthers
No matter what happens the Packers are back in the Playoffs after missing out the past two seasons. There will also at least be on playoff game at Lambeau Field due to the Packers winning the division. There is nothing better than January playoff football at Lambeau Field. To gain home field advantage throughout the playoffs the team will need help from an old rival in the Seattle Seahawks.
Take care of business and get some help is the name of game on Sunday. It is great to be able to be looking forward this time of year and know that you are only one of 12 teams in the NFL that will still be playing after Sunday. 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
