NFL playoff picture: How the Green Bay Packers clinched in Week 17

The Packers are headed back to the playoffs before they even set foot on the field in Week 17. We break down how they clinched a spot in the 2026 NFL Playoffs on Christmas.

by David Fucillo

Updated Dec 28, 2025, 4:03 AM UTC

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Update (Saturday night): While the Packers are in the playoffs, they missed out on a chance to stay alive in the NFC North title race. Green Bay’s 41-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens eliminated the Packers from a chance at the NFC North crown.

Green Bay is locked into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed, currently with a 9-6-1 record.

The Green Bay Packers clinched a playoff berth on Christmas Day when the Lions lost to the Vikings. The Packers still have a chance at the division title but need some help from the Bears these final two weeks.

The Lions entered Christmas needing a win just to keep their hopes alive, but it was a disaster of a game. Jared Goff threw two interceptions and lost three fumbles. Jahmyr Gibbs lost a fumble as well in what was a horrible game for the Lions offense. Their defense kept them in, giving up only two touchdowns in spite of all the turnovers. But the offense could never figure anything out and it was no surprise they lost after turning the ball over six times.

The Packers play on Saturday when they host the Ravens at Lambeau Field. Green Bay currently holds the seventh and final playoff seed in the NFC. They are a little over 1.5 games back of the Bears in the NFC North. The Bears could blow it these final two games, but more than likely the Bears will win the division and the Packers will take home a wild card berth. Chicago is traveling to face the 49ers on Sunday Night Football.

Green Bay Packers playoff history

This is the third straight season the Packers have reached the playoffs, doing so in each season Jordan Love has been the starting quarterback. They missed the playoffs in 2022, which was Aaron Rodgers’ final season with the team. Prior to that, they had reached the playoffs three straight years.

A year ago, they finished 11-6 and were third in the NFC North. That earned them a wild card berth and they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles 22-10 in Philly. They fell behind from the start and could never fully get back into the game.