The NFC North is still in play — at least for another day or two. The Green Bay Packers clinched a playoff spot on Christmas Day, getting an important present from Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings’ defense. The team that the Packers will face to wrap up the regular season a week from Sunday delivered a knockout blow to the Detroit Lions’ playoff hopes, sending Green Bay to the playoffs.
Now, the Packers face a a question in the last two games: Should they go all-out and try to catch the Bears and win the NFC North, or should they prioritize balance between competitiveness and keeping key players healthy?
The path to the division is clear: beat the Ravens on Saturday night and the Vikings next Sunday, then hope that the Bears lose to both the 49ers on Sunday Night Football and then the Lions next week. Those results are all entirely possible, with the 49ers still in the race for the NFC’s #1 seed and the Lions always willing to put forth an effort as a spoiler.
It all starts on Saturday, however — if the Packers lose that game, they’re locked into the #7 seed no matter what happens the rest of the way. That result will surely dictate just how intensely the team approaches that final game in Minnesota next weekend.