Packers: What 49ers win means in race for NFC’s top seed
A look at how the San Francisco 49ers’ win impacts the Green Bay Packers in the NFC playoff race.
On Saturday night, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams with a walk-off field goal. The Rams were eliminated from playoff contention as a result, but what does it mean for the Green Bay Packers?
It ends perhaps the Packers’ most realistic path to the NFC’s top seed, which means there is only one clear path remaining.
First of all, Green Bay needs to win its remaining two games, starting on Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings, and then finally against the Detroit Lions next week.
The Seattle Seahawks must lose to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and then they must win against the 49ers in the season finale.
Path to the No. 1 seed
- Packers win their remaining two games
- Seahawks lose to Cardinals
- Seahawks defeat 49ers
It’s that simple.
Unlikely, however. It’s already going to be a challenge for the Packers to win out as they face two road games against divisional opponents. But to need to rely on the 4-9-1 Cardinals to upset the 11-3 Seahawks on the road is perhaps a step too far. The Seahawks would then need to bounce back to beat the 49ers a week later.
However, it’s not all bad news.
The Packers are still in control of their destiny when it comes to, a) winning the NFC North and, b) the number two seed. A win in either of their remaining two games will wrap up the division title, and winning both games will guarantee them a week off in the wild-card round.
The 49ers’ victory makes an unlikely scenario slightly less likely, but the Packers knew their chances of the number one seed were minimal. They can still win the NFC North and even earn a first-round bye, and that would make for an impressive regular season in Matt LaFleur’s rookie year.