It was going to require a miracle for the Green Bay Packers to win the NFC North in the final three weeks of the season.
Unfortunately, said miracle included the Chicago Bears winning a game of football.
You'll be shocked to find out that it didn't happen, with the Bears losing 34-17 at home to the Detroit Lions. And that's a wrap on the Packers' NFC North hopes. They will now shift their focus to clinching a wild-card berth on Monday Night Football, while the Lions will compete with the Minnesota Vikings for the division title.
Detroit improves to 13-2 on the season, three wins ahead of Green Bay at 10-4. The Packers have a chance to pull within two wins, but it won't matter in the NFC North standings.
Packers can't win the NFC North, but it's not all bad news after Week 16
The Packers didn't have a realistic shot at winning the NFC North. They needed the Lions and Vikings to lose two games and then tie when they met each other in Week 18. Now, it's impossible.
Even in the event that Detroit loses out and Green Bay ties first place at 13-4, the Lions and Vikings would hold a better division record. It's the price the Packers pay for getting swept by the Lions and losing at home to the Vikings. Matt LaFleur's team has only lost one game outside of the NFC North, highlighting the importance of winning the division games.
But there's good news: The Packers will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football, and by the sounds of things, the Saints aren't exactly looking forward to playing in frozen conditions. They will also miss starting quarterback Derek Carr, star running back Alvin Kamara, and their top wide receiver, Chris Olave.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers are officially eliminated from playoff contention. The Packers' season may ultimately end in heartbreak, but it won't come at the hands of the Niners (for once).
The North is gone, but the Packers are still in great shape.