The Green Bay Packers have a playoff-deciding scenario in Week 15, but it requires three different outcomes – including one unusual – and should be considered unlikely.
According to the NFL, the Packers can clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Seattle Seahawks, lose or tie the Atlanta Falcons AND draw between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in Week 15.
The first two scenarios are possible – the Packers are the favorites in Seattle, and the Falcons (who have lost four games in a row) go on the road to face the Las Vegas Raiders. However, a tie between the Rams and 49ers (or any two teams) is very unlikely. Getting all three scores probably won’t happen.
While the Packers may not be victorious this week, the script confirms that if Matt LaFleur’s team beats the Seahawks on Sunday night, they will be on the verge of clinching a playoff spot with one or two more scores in the last three weeks. It’s a great place to be at this point in the season.
According to a playoff simulator published in the New York Times, the Packers have a 98% chance of making the postseason, and a victory over the Seahawks would improve their standing to over 99%.
Just win, baby. Beat the Seahawks in Seattle in prime time, and it would likely take the end of the world for the Packers to miss the postseason, even if it isn’t decided this weekend.
In other huge news, the Minnesota Vikings can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Chicago Bears, while the Philadelphia Eagles have a chance to win the NFC East title. The Eagles and Detroit Lions have already clinched a playoff spot in the NFC.
