Updated NFC playoff picture after Packers dominate Lions on Thanksgiving
Playoffs? The Green Bay Packers in the playoffs?
We need to talk about it. Matt LaFleur's team has won three of its past four games, including a dominant performance against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day.
The Packers' entire season has flipped upside down in the past five days. After a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay sat at 3-6 and faced its toughest three-game stretch of the season. Incredibly, the Packers have back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Lions, pulling themselves back into contention.
All of a sudden, Packers fans can forget about the NFL draft order and begin to focus on the playoff picture. Let's take a look.
Packers in the NFC playoff hunt after win over Lions in Week 12
With victory over Detroit, Green Bay has moved within a game of the playoff spots. The Minnesota Vikings are only one game ahead.
Here are the updated NFC playoff standings:
NFC playoff standings
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-1)
- Detroit Lions (8-3)
- San Francisco 49ers (7-3)
- New Orleans Saints (5-5)
- Dallas Cowboys (7-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
- Minnesota Vikings (6-5)
In the hunt
- Green Bay Packers (5-6)
- Los Angeles Rams (4-6)
- Atlanta Falcons (4-6)
- Washington Commanders (4-7)
Playoff matchups if the season ended today
- Detroit Lions (2) vs. Minnesota Vikings (7)
- San Francisco 49ers (3) vs. Seattle Seahawks (6)
- New Orleans Saints (4) vs. Dallas Cowboys (5)
That first-round playoff schedule would be a lot of fun with two divisional showdowns. It would look even better if the Packers were involved.
It has become a real possibility. Green Bay has another tough matchup next week against the Kansas City Chiefs, but then the schedule eases up. The Packers finish against the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Vikings, and Chicago Bears.
Could they run the table? The Packers are officially in the hunt.
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