The 11-3 Packers know they’re in the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2016 but where they’ll begin their post-season trip remains very much in the air with two games left to play in the regular season.
The Packers could find themselves anywhere from the number one seed in the NFC, giving them a first round bye and a divisional round date at Lambeau Field, or they could drop all the way to the number six seed and play a wild card game on the road.
Here’s how it can all unfold.
For the number one seed.
The Packers must beat the Vikings and Lions on the road to finish 13-3. The Seahawks and the 49ers must both lose one more. That’s a guarantee unless the regular season finale in Seattle ends in a tie (which would also aid the Packers). Seattle is home to Arizona in week 16 while the 49ers host the Rams Saturday night with Los Angeles still holding an outside shot at a playoff berth. Green Bay owns the tiebreaker over New Orleans (based on better conference record) which will host Indianapolis Monday night before finishing at Tennessee and at Carolina.
For the number two seed.
If the Packers win out, they’re locked in to no worse than the second seed which also earns a first round bye. They could also earn the bye by splitting the last two, winning the NFC North and have the Saints lose one of their last three games.
For the number three seed.
The Packers will drop a notch if they lose one of their last two and the Saints win out, because the 49ers own the head to head tiebreaker by virtue of their victory against the Packers and Seattle has an edge based on a better record against common opponents. That would have the Packers host the number 6 seed in the NFC on Wild Card weekend which at the moment, is the Minnesota Vikings.
For the number four seed.
The Packers can’t finish with the worst division winning record, that will belong to the NFC East winner between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.
For the number five seed.
Green Bay losses in the final 2 with the Vikings winning out would give Minnesota the NFC North title and drop Green Bay to the Wild Card round. Seattle or San Francisco would also have to lose two and tiebreakers would come into play but Green Bay does not fare well here and this is the least likely possibility.
For the number six seed.
Green Bay loses in Minnesota and Detroit and the 49ers losing to the Rams and Seahawks would leave both teams 11-5 and the Niners climb above Green Bay because of the head to head. This would probably mean a trip to Minnesota or New Orleans to open the post-season.
Let’s see how it plays out.
