The Green Bay Packers could go 12-5 but not finish any higher than the NFC's seventh seed. They may have missed the postseason entirely if the NFL had not expanded the playoff field.
Green Bay's two-point loss to the Minnesota Vikings ended its chances of clinching the No. 5 seed, and it likely crushed any hope of taking the No. 6 spot, too.
The Washington Commanders overtook the Packers in the NFC standings on Sunday Night Football and can clinch that spot with a victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18. That would leave the Packers with the No. 7 seed, the same position they entered the playoffs with last season.
Green Bay can still secure the No. 6 seed but has no control over that, as a Commanders win would rule that out. All paths are leading to a daunting first-round matchup for the Packers.
Packers on course for rematch with Eagles in the first round of the playoffs
The NFC is loaded, and the team that makes the Super Bowl must overcome a brutal stretch of games. For a while, there was hope the Packers could avoid one of the 13-win teams in the first round and take on the NFC South or West champions.
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That could still happen, but it's out of the Packers' control. If the Commanders beat the Cowboys, it's irrelevant what Green Bay does against the Chicago Bears in Week 18. Matt LaFleur's team would head to Philadelphia for a Week 1 rematch against the No. 2-seeded Eagles.
Green Bay had a chance to beat Philadelphia in Brazil, ultimately losing by five points in the game Jordan Love sprained his MCL. However, the Eagles have won 11 of their past 12 games, and their only defeat came after Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion.
The Packers had no answer for Saquon Barkley in Week 1, who found the end zone three times. It turns out that no team can stop him, with Barkley rushing for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns and catching 33 passes for 278 yards and two scores in 16 games.
It wouldn't be much easier for Jordan Love and the Packers' offense, either. Philadelphia's defense ranks No. 1 in total yards, No. 1 against the pass, and No. 3 in scoring.
The Packers may have to go through the Eagles, Vikings, and Detroit Lions in consecutive weeks to make the Super Bowl. The loss to Minnesota in Week 17 may send Green Bay into a daunting first-round matchup.