The Green Bay Packers have officially clinched a spot in the 2016 NFC Playoffs.
By virtue of the New York Giants’ win over Washington this afternoon, the Packers are locked into a playoff spot. The Giants won this week by the score of 19-10, which knocked Washington’s record down to 8-7-1. Both the Packers and Lions have nine wins and have clinched tiebreakers over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who finished 9-7 with a win today over the Panthers.
Of course, there is still plenty to play for tonight; the winner of tonight’s Packers-Lions game will win the NFC North and earn a home playoff game as a result.
Based on the other results of the day, the NFC North winner will be the 4th seed in the NFC and will host those same New York Giants. The loser will end up as the 6th and final seed in the conference, and will travel to Seattle for their Wild Card game.
Here is how the NFC seeding will work out:
- Dallas Cowboys (13-3)
- Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
- Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1)
- NFC North winner (10-6)
- New York Giants (11-5)
- NFC North loser (9-7)
Remember that the 3-seed plays the 6-seed in the Wild Card round, while the 4-seed plays the 5-seed. If the game ends in a tie, the Packers win the NFC North based on their head-to-head win over the Lions in week 3.
Meanwhile, the AFC is all set. The Chiefs were able to come from behind in the AFC West and earn the division title over the Raiders, and they got the first-round bye that goes along with it.
- New England Patriots (14-2)
- Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
- Houston Texans (9-7)
- Oakland Raiders (12-4)
- Miami Dolphins (10-6)