Packers get help in playoff race as 49ers defeat Seahawks

The Green Bay Packers not only need to win on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams, but they also need some help.

Well, Week 15 got off to a good start for the Packers.

With the Seattle Seahawks ahead of the Packers in the race for a wild-card spot in the NFC, Green Bay needed Seattle to lose on Thursday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers.

It’s rare for Packers fans to root for the 49ers, but they helped them out on Thursday, defeating their division-rival Seahawks.

San Francisco dominated Seattle, winning 21-13 on the road.

Seattle falls to 7-7. With a victory over Los Angeles on Monday night, Green Bay would pull within one game of Seattle with a 6-8 record.

Updated NFC playoff picture after Thursday Night Football

1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-1)
2. Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
3. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
5. Dallas Cowboys (10-3)
6. Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
7. New York Giants (7-5-1)

8. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)
9. Detroit Lions (6-7)
10. Green Bay Packers (5-8)

So, what’s next?

The Washington Commanders take on the New York Giants this week. Assuming they don’t tie, one of those teams will lose and remain on seven wins.

The Detroit Lions visit the New York Jets, so would remain at least one game ahead of the Packers with a win. However, the Packers still have to play the Lions, so they can still overtake them if they win out.

The Seahawks take on the Kansas City Chiefs next week, so there’s a good chance they lose again. That would give Green Bay a chance to match Seattle’s record with victories over Los Angeles and the Miami Dolphins.

That helps, but Green Bay will also need the loser of the Commanders-Giants game to lose two more before the end of the regular season.

A lot still needs to happen, but the 49ers helped out on Thursday night.