Here's how the Packers can still win the NFC North entering final 4 games

When the Green Bay Packers lost to the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 14, their chances of winning the NFC North were effectively lost as well.

With the defeat, the Packers dropped to 9-4 on the season, putting them three games back of the Lions, who improved to 12-1 with the victory. And with Detroit sweeping the season series, Green Bay obviously loses a head-to-head tiebreaker.

And one certainly can't forget about the Minnesota Vikings, who upped their winning streak to six in Week 14 with a 42-21 win over Kirk Cousins at the Atlanta Falcons, thus improving their record to 11-2 and increasing their advantage over Green Bay to two games.

With four weeks remaining in the regular season, the Packers are still in great shape in the overall NFC playoff picture. But the likelihood of Matt LaFleur & Co. winning the division is about as close to zero as one can imagine. That said, however, it is still mathematically possible, and here's how they get it done.

The Packers need a minor miracle to win the NFC North

First, let's look at the remaining schedule for all three teams.

For the Packers to pull off this minor miracle, they have to win their remaining four games and have the Lions lose all four of theirs. If that doesn't happen, nothing else matters.

So, let's say that occurs. At that point, the Lions would end the season at 12-5, while the Packers would be 13-4.

Now, if the Lions lose out, that naturally means the Vikings will have added at least one to their win total as Detroit and Minnesota square off in Week 18. If Minnesota loses its other three, obviously including the Week 17 matchup with Green Bay, the division belongs to the Packers, as the Vikes would also be 12-5. So, there's one scenario.

Now, let's say the Vikings win one of those other two against either Seattle or this Monday against Chicago. Spoiler alert, Packers fans: You have to root for the Bears this week.

If Minnesota loses to Chicago, beats Seattle, loses to Green Bay, and then beats Detroit, the Packers and Vikings would both finish 13-4. Having split the season series, the head-to-head tiebreaker goes out the window.

The next tiebreaker used is the best record within the division, which would also be a tie as both would be 3-3.

After that comes the best winning percentage against common opponents, and that's where the Packers would win. Green Bay would be 10-2, losing only to Detroit twice, while Minnesota would be 9-3, losing once each to the Lions, Bears, and Rams. So, there's a second scenario.

Now, let's say Minnesota beats Chicago, loses to Seattle, loses to Green Bay, and then beats the Lions. Again, both the Packers and Vikings would finish 13-4. However, in this scenario, the Vikings would win the tiebreaker for the best record within the division, as they'd be 4-2, while the Packers would still be 3-3, thus giving Minnesota the division.

Easy enough, right?

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