Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

NFL playoff picture: How the Packers can clinch a playoff berth in Week 16

Packers. We break down how they can clinch a spot in the 2026 NFL Playoffs in Week 16

NFL: Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
NFL: Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Mark Schofield
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.

Update: The Packers lost to the Bears by a final score of 22-16 in overtime. Green Bay cannot clinch a playoff spot this week.


Last week the Green Bay Packers were forced to watch a team clinch a playoff spot on the other sideline.

This week, the Packers can be that team celebrating, but those celebrations might have to wait until Sunday.

Green Bay’s loss to the Denver Broncos last week meant that Bo Nix and company were the first AFC playoff team to clinch a playoff spot. This week, however, the Packers have two pathways to booking a spot in the postseason themselves, starting with their game Saturday night against the Chicago Bears.

Here is how the Packers can clinch a playoff spot in Week 16.

Green Bay Packers playoff berth clinching scenarios

Green Bay has two different pathways to a playoff spot in Week 16.

First, with a win over the Bears on Saturday night, and a Detroit Lions loss or tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon, the Packers are in the playoffs.

However, if the Packers tie the Bears on Saturday, Green Bay still clinches a playoff spot if the Lions lose to the Steelers.

The Packers are slight underdogs according to FanDuel, with the Bears favored at home by -1.5 points. The Lions are 6.5-point favorites over the Steelers.

NFC standings entering Week 16

Here are the full NFC standings heading into the weekend, updated with Seattle’s thrilling overtime win over Los Angeles on Thursday Night Football:

  1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3) - x
  2. Chicago Bears (10-4)
  3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
  5. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) - x
  6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
  7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
  8. Detroit Lions (8-6)
  9. Carolina Panthers (7-7)
  10. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
  11. Minnesota Vikings (6-8) - e
  12. Atlanta Falcons (5-9) - e
  13. New Orleans Saints (4-10) - e
  14. Washington Commanders (4-10) - e
  15. Arizona Cardinals (3-11) - e
  16. New York Giants (2-12) - e

x - Team has clinched a playoff spot
e - Team has been eliminated from playoff contention

NFC North standings entering Week 16

Here are the full NFC North standings entering Week 16:

  1. Chicago Bears (10-4)
  2. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
  3. Detroit Lions (8-6)
  4. Minnesota Vikings (6-8) - e
See More:

More in NFL

NFL
WNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in FriscoWNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in Frisco
NFL

The Women’s National Football Conference Championship will air on ESPN2 this weekend.

By RJ Ochoa
From SBNationExternal Link
Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?
From SBNationExternal Link
By James Dator
NFL
Best bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the YearBest bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
NFL

There are some good longer-shot options on offensive side of ball for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year.

By Bill Williamson
NFL
Brendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go inBrendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go in
NFL

This is a no-brainer for some NFL teams.

By James Dator
NFL
Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before himFernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him
NFL

Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him

By RJ Ochoa
NFL
Brendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reportsBrendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports
NFL

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is entering the NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports

By Mark Schofield

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...