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:
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:
