Packers clinch playoff berth, await battle vs. Lions for NFC North title
The Green Bay Packers have officially clinched a playoff spot.
As the final seconds ran off the clock of the Packers' 20-3 victory Sunday over Tampa Bay, it guaranteed Green Bay would be part of the NFC postseason picture for the sixth consecutive year.
With Detroit winning Sunday over Chicago, the Packers/Lions game Week 17 at Lambeau Field will decide the division winner. If Green Bay wins that game, it will likely end up with the No. 2 seed in the NFC, which would mean a first-round bye.
There is a scenario that exists in which a Packers win over Detroit would give Green Bay the No. 1 seed. With Seattle's win over Arizona on Sunday night, the Seahawks can earn home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a Week 17 win at home against the St. Louis Rams. But if Seattle loses and the Packers win, it would make Lambeau Field the venue through which the road to the Super Bowl must go.
If Green Bay loses to the Lions, the Packers would end up as the No. 6 seed. That would mean traveling on the road on wild-card weekend to face the Dallas Cowboys.
Originally scheduled for noon, the Week 17 game between Green Bay and Detroit was moved to a 3:25 p.m. kickoff. The NFL opted to flex the Pittsburgh/Cincinnati game to the 7:30 p.m. Sunday Night Football slot.
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