As we head into Week 15, the Green Bay Packers get set to take on the Buffalo Bills out east for the first time since 2006. The Packers can clinch a playoff spot with a win, a Dallas loss to Philadelphia, and Green Bay clinching the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Cowboys (which involves a whole lot of convoluted stuff that we can't figure out right now).
Speaking of those Cowboys, their victory over Chicago on top of Detroit wining at home against Tampa Bay eliminated the Bears mathematically from the postseason last week. The Lions at 9-4 are still in a fair position to claim the division, but they'll need Green Bay to slip up against weaker opponents such as the Bills and Buccaneers to do so before facing them the final week of the season. Detroit and Minnesota will face each other on Sunday, but the Vikings (6-7) were eliminated last night after St. Louis lost to Arizona. Still, Mike Zimmer and his Vikings team are coming off a thrilling overtime victory against the New York Jets.
Here is a look at the updated NFC playoff standings:
Arizona Cardinals (11-3), 1st seed
Green Bay Packers (10-3), 2nd seed
Philadelphia Eagles (9-4), 3rd seed
Atlanta Falcons (5-8), 4th seed
Seattle Seahawks (9-4), 5th seed
Detroit Lions (9-4), 6th seed
In the hunt:
Cowboys (9-4), 49ers (7-6)
**
Below are links to the latest content from around the region on each team in the division.
Vikings
In a sophomore campaign that has only produced 30 catches for 350 receiving yards, Cordarrelle Patterson had a little heart-to-heart talk with head coach Mike Zimmer.
Even after coming back Week 11, tight end Kyle Rudolph won't be the same player we're use to seeing until next season.
Charles Johnson (whom the Packers lost after Cleveland signed him from their practice squad), has arguably been Minnesota's most productive receiver this season.
Left tackle Matt Kalil will be looking to not get terrorized again by defensive end Ziggy Ansah this Sunday.
Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle spoke to the team after practice this week, and he likes what he sees from Zimmer's unit.
Lions
Detroit has been shorthanded with starters this week due to injuries.
The offseason is not too far away, and if defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh leaves the Motor City, the Lions can probably find a replacement in this year's draft.
Nick Fairley (knee) is improving, but head coach Jim Caldwell isn't sure when he'll return.
Reggie Bush is having a down year (just 12 touches for 34 yards last week vs. Tampa Bay), but the Lions believe he'll be able to bounce back for the final three game of the year.
Here's what Calvin Johnson had to say about Julio Jones possibly breaking his career receiving yards per game record.
Bears
Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker isn't worried about rumors regarding his job security.
Defensive end Jared Allen currently has five sacks, and will need a strong three games to reach his eighth-straight 10-sack season. He's confident he can do it.
Safety Ryan Mundy took home some hardware this week from the Pro Football Writers of America chapter located in Chicago.
Kicker Robbie Gould is hopeful he will be able to return Sunday against the New Orleans Saints after pulling his right quad last week.
Undrafted second-year defensive back Demontre Hurst has been a bright spot for Chicago.