The Green Bay Packers have two ways of clinching the NFC North title and five ways of clinching a playoff spot in Week 15 of the 2021 season.
Obviously, clinching the division title ensures a playoff spot. So let’s start there.
The Packers will be NFC North champions if:
– Packers win or tie (vs. Ravens)
– Vikings loss or tie (vs. Bears)
The Packers play the Ravens on Sunday afternoon, while the Vikings and Bears play on Monday night, so even if Green Bay loses in Baltimore, the division can still be clinched a day later if the Bears win.
The Packers can also clinch a playoff spot in a variety of ways:
– Saints loss or tie (vs. Buccaneers) + 49ers loss (vs. Falcons)
– Saints loss or tie (vs. Buccaneers) + Eagles-Washington tie
– Saints loss or tie (vs. Buccaneers) + Rams loss (vs. Seahawks) + 49ers tie (vs. Falcons)
– 49ers loss (vs. Falcons) + Eagles-Washington tie
– Rams loss (vs. Seahawks) + 49ers tie (vs. Falcons) + Eagles-Washington tie
There you have it. Seven different ways for the Packers to book their trip to the postseason for the third straight season.
Like last week, this is all somewhat of a formality. Barring some kind of epic collapse, the Packers are going to be in the playoffs as NFC North champions. The question really is: Will Matt LaFleur’s team be the No. 1 seed? At 10-3 and in possession of the top spot, the Packers can now win out and guarantee a first-round bye and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.
The next step comes Sunday, with a chance to win a third straight game and celebrate another division title in Baltimore.
