As Week 18 of the NFL arrives, the playoff picture is taking shape. Although all of the seedings aren’t set just yet, we have a pretty good idea where things stand heading into the last week of the regular season.
In Week 17, the Green Bay Packers fell to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, falling to 11-5 on the season. Although the Packers scored 21 points in the second half to make it a somewhat entertaining fourth quarter, Minnesota ran out the clock for the game’s final 2:15 to get the victory.
With just one game left for Green Bay, let’s take a look at the Packers’ playoff picture.
Packers playoff picture for Week 18
The Packers’ final game of the season is an NFC North matchup and comes against the 4-11 Chicago Bears at home on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Currently in the NFC, there is just one playoff spot remaining, but the seeds aren’t locked up yet.
With one game left, the Green Bay Packers are sitting with the No. 7 seed. Here’s a look at where things stand currently, after Week 17’s results:
- Detroit Lions (14-2)
- Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
6. Washington Commanders (11-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
On the bubble: Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
How Packers would clinch No. 6 seed
In order for Green Bay to lock in the No. 6 seed in the NFC, the Packers must get a win over the Bears on Sunday. Luckily for Green Bay, the Packers have won the last 11 straight against the Bears, dating back to 2018. ESPN’s FPI gives Green Bay a 74.7 percent chance to win on Sunday. Green Bay is an eight-point favorite against the Bears, which have lost their last 10 straight games this season.
But that’s not all Green Bay needs to have happen to lock in the No. 6 seed. The Packers also need the (7-9) Dallas Cowboys to defeat the (11-5) Washington Commanders at home on Sunday. Dallas is a 4.5-point favorite.
How Packers would clinch No. 7 seed
The above scenario lays out pretty clearly how Green Bay would fall. If the Packers lose to the Bears or if the Commanders beat the Cowboys, that will put Green Bay in the No. 7 slot.
Packers potential playoff opponents
Green Bay’s seed possibilities are limited to just No. 6 or 7, so the list of potential opponents isn’t too large. Here are the teams Green Bay could face:
- Los Angeles Rams
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Philadelphia Eagles
No. 6 seed opponent
If the Packers receive the No. 6 seed, Green Bay will face either the Los Angeles Rams or Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Los Angeles clinched the NFC West over the weekend and will face the (9-7) Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Tampa Bay looks to lock up the NFC South title with a win over the (5-11) New Orleans Saints. If Tampa Bay loses, the Bucs could still lock up the NFC South with a Falcons loss to the Panthers.
Green Bay will play the Rams if Los Angeles beats Seattle or the Bucs lose. If the Rams and Commanders lose and Tampa Bay beats New Orleans, the Packers will face the Bucs.
No. 7 seed opponent
The Eagles locked up the No. 2 seed over the weekend, so they will face the Packers in Philadelphia if they are the No. 7 seed.
