The Packers’ 45-17 shellacking of the Giants provided some clarity to a couple of different aspects of the NFL playoff picture in the NFC.
NFL Playoff Picture: Green Bay Takes Control In Wild Card Race, Eagles Clinch NFC East
With the loss, the Packers now have just one last step to making it two straight playoff berths: win next week over the Bears, and the Packers will be one of the NFC’s two wild card teams. Lose, and the Packers need a little help to get back to the postseason.
The Giants’ loss also helped the Eagles. Philadelphia clinched the NFC East with the win, and is now playing only for playoff byes.
Tampa Bay’s rout of Seattle also keeps the Bucs in the playoff hunt. The Buccaneers still need some help — both the Packers and Giants need to lose next weekend — but can make it to the postseason by beating the Saints next week and having things fall their way.
And out in the woeful NFC West, it’s a winner-take-all scenario for the Rams and Seahawks. Whichever team prevails in next week’s game at Qwest Field will win the NFC West and take the NFC’s fourth seed.
If the Seahawks win that game, they will enter the playoffs with a 7-9 record — and may welcome the defending Super Bowl champion Saints to Seattle.
See More:
