5 things on the Packers’ Christmas gift list this year
2. The 49ers and Seahawks slip up
The Packers still have an outside shot of ending up with the No. 1 seed, which would mean the playoffs would go through Lambeau Field. They’ll need to win out for that to happen and get some help next week.
Currently, either the Seattle Seahawks or San Francisco 49ers look set for the NFC’s top seed. Both teams are 11-3 but the Seahawks have the head-to-head tiebreaker, meaning the 49ers only have a wild-card berth as it stands.
They play each other at CenturyLink Field in the season finale in a game that could be for the NFC West title. For the Packers to finish with the first seed, it doesn’t matter which team wins in Week 17. Here’s how it can happen:
- The Packers beat the Vikings and Lions
- The winning team of Seahawks-49ers in Week 17 also loses in Week 16
If the 49ers lose to the Los Angeles Rams this week but then defeat the Seahawks in Week 17, the Packers would take the No. 1 seed by winning out. Alternatively, if the Seahawks lose to the Arizona Cardinals this week but then defeat the 49ers in Week 17, the same would apply.
In an ideal world, both the Seahawks and 49ers will lose this upcoming week. The Packers would then enter Monday night’s game against the Vikings knowing that two more wins would give them the NFC’s top seed.