The Green Bay Packers faced the Minnesota Vikings in a crucial matchup in Minneapolis on Sunday. This game significantly impacts the NFL playoff picture.
Game Result: Although neither team secured a playoff spot this week, the Vikings emerged victorious, defeating the Packers 27-25. This win puts the Vikings in a position to contend for the NFC North title in their upcoming Week 18 game against the Lions, while the Eagles remain in the mix for the top seed.
Unfortunately for the Packers, this loss complicates their playoff seeding options. They remain in the sixth seed but could drop to the seventh seed depending on the outcome of the Commanders’ game on Sunday night. With the fifth seed now out of reach, the Packers must focus on securing their playoff position.
The NFC North division is fiercely competitive, with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers each boasting over ten wins. While all three teams have clinched playoff berths, the exact positioning remains uncertain.
The Vikings and Lions are battling for the division title, while the Packers aim to improve their playoff seeding. Green Bay cannot win the NFC North but is vying for a wild card spot. They will face the Vikings in an important matchup this Sunday, where the Vikings are slight 1.5-point favorites at home, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Here’s what’s at stake for both teams this Sunday.
Packers Playoff Picture
The Packers currently hold an 11-4 record, which is insufficient to clinch the division, as they trail both the Vikings and the Lions by two games. Presently, they are positioned as the sixth seed in the NFC but could potentially end up as the fifth or seventh seed. Although they cannot clinch a spot this week, a victory over the Vikings could improve their chances for the fifth seed, contingent on a Vikings loss to the Lions in the final week.
If the Packers lose to the Vikings, they risk dropping to the seventh seed if the Commanders defeat the Falcons on Sunday.
Vikings Playoff Picture
The Vikings are also in a precarious situation; while they cannot secure a playoff spot this week, they could be eliminated from NFC North contention if they lose and the Lions win. Should the Vikings fall to the Packers, they will have to await the outcome of the Lions’ game against the 49ers on Monday Night Football before their Week 18 clash. Winning their remaining games is crucial for the Vikings to maintain their top position.
Tiebreaker Implications
In the event of a tie, the primary tiebreakers will come into play. The Packers are directly competing with the Vikings for wild card seeding, having lost one of their head-to-head meetings earlier this season. Meanwhile, the Commanders trail the Packers by one game but possess a superior conference record, which would allow them to leapfrog the Packers if they win while Green Bay loses.
Currently, the Vikings hold the advantage over the Packers in both divisional and conference records. However, the Packers could level the playing field by winning out while the Vikings lose. A Vikings victory in Week 17 would set them up for a critical matchup against the Lions in Week 18.
