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Packers don’t get help on bye week as Vikings, 49ers and Saints win

By Freddie Boston

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 17: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 17: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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It was almost the perfect bye week for the Green Bay Packers.

At different points of the afternoon, it looked like the Green Bay Packers could have the chance to take two-game lead at the top of the NFC North next weekend, and it also looked like they might finish the day as the NFC’s top seed.

The Minnesota Vikings fought back from 20-0 down at home against the Denver Broncos, winning a close game to improve to 8-3. They now enter their bye week, meaning the Packers will need to defeat the San Francisco 49ers to restore their one-game advantage at the top of the division.

The 49ers, too, narrowly avoided an upset at home against the Arizona Cardinals. San Francisco trailed 16-0 in the first half, then was down 26-23 late in the fourth quarter.

The New Orleans Saints were more comfortable in their victory, a 34-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

So what does this mean for the NFC playoff picture?

In the division, the Packers still lead the way at 8-2, but the Vikings are just behind at 8-3 as they enter their bye week. If the Packers lose to the 49ers, they’ll keep hold of first place, but the win-loss records would be tied at the top.

Green Bay remains the second seed in the NFC, but San Francisco moved one game ahead in first place. New Orleans is still the third seed but matched Green Bay’s record at 8-2 on Sunday.

Five teams are battling for the two first-round byes. Here is how the NFC stands after Week 11 (prior to Sunday Night Football):

  1. San Francisco 49ers (9-1)
  2. Green Bay Packers (8-2)
  3. New Orleans Saints (8-2)
  4. Dallas Cowboys (6-4)
  5. Seattle Seahawks (8-2)
  6. Minnesota Vikings (8-3)

It’s close. Next week’s game against the 49ers is a huge one. A Packers victory would put them in first place of the conference. A loss would open up the NFC North, with the Vikings facing a huge game at Seattle following their bye.

Everything is still to play for. It was close to being the perfect weekend for the Packers, but their biggest rivals in the NFC all found ways to win.

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