Five takeaways from Green Bay Packers’ victory over Houston Texans
![Dec 4, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports Dec 4, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Flombardiave-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F12-2F9725043-aaron-rodgers-nfl-houston-texans-green-bay-packers-850x560-6479ecc2eac08b1beea34e7f30af9c76a5e0b197ac82d9e8e5f663e7881c4435.jpg)
Victory puts Packers back in wild-card race
The Packers’ simplest and least complicated route to the postseason is within the NFC North. At 6-6, Green Bay sits two games behind Detroit (8-4), with a meeting with the Lions looming in Week 17.
But after Sunday’s victory over Houston, the Packers have pulled themselves back into the wild-card race. Losses for the Giants, Saints and Redskins inches them closer to the sixth seed.
New York (8-4) currently owns the fifth seed, two games ahead of Green Bay. The tiebreaker belongs to the Packers, however, after their win over the Giants in Week 5. Tampa Bay (7-5) moved into the sixth seed with victory at San Diego, but they are just one win ahead of Green Bay. Washington (6-5-1) lost at Arizona (5-6-1).
Minnesota (6-6), defeated on Thursday night by Dallas, now share the same record as the Packers, although the Vikings hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. The two meet again in Week 16, this time at Lambeau.
Victory over Seattle next week would do the Packers’ playoff hopes the world of good.
Next: Quick reactions to Packers' win over Texans
Winning the NFC North remains the best bet of securing a playoff berth for the eighth straight year, but Sunday’s results makes a wild-card spot a legitimate possibility.