As everyone expected, the Green Bay Packers are the top seed in the NFC playoffs after clinching the first round bye with a 14-1 start to the season. They're clearly the best team in the NFL so no one is surprised that they have everything already wrapped up. The only remaining question for them is whether they play their starters in Week 17.
NFC North Playoff Scenarios: Packers, Lions Land In The Postseason
Elsewhere in the NFC North, the Detroit Lions' victory on Saturday clinched a playoff spot, which means we'll see the Lions in the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Detroit will be either the fifth or sixth seed as a wildcard depending on what the Falcons do. Atlanta holds the head to head tiebreaker with Detroit so in the event they both finish 10-6 or 11-5, Atlanta would be the fifth seed (assuming Atlanta doesn't win the AFC South, which is still possible). But an Atlanta loss on Monday night plus a Lions win means Detroit gets the fifth seed.
So the keys to remember in the NFC North playoff scenario is that the Packers have already clinched home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. They’re the NFC’s top seed entering the postseason. The Lions, meanwhile, will be the NFC’s fifth or sixth seed as a wildcard.
Check out SB Nation’s Acme Packing Company for more on the Packers and Pride of Detroit for more on the Lions.
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