Packers enter Week 16 as the sixth seed in NFC playoff picture

When Washington lost their tilt with the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football, they significantly impacted the NFC playoff picture. Among other changes, the Green Bay Packers now enter Week 16 as the sixth seed in the NFC.

The Packers, who improved to 8-6 after topping the Chicago Bears on Sunday, move ahead of Washington (7-6-1) based on overall record. Green Bay also receives the nod over the 8-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers based on a slight advantage in strength of schedule (.510 vs. .505). The two teams are tied on the first three tiebreakers - conference record (6-4), record against common opponents (3-2), and strength of victory (.442). If the season ended today, the Packers would travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in the Wild Card round.

Of course, the Packers would prefer to win their division and host a playoff game at Lambeau Field instead. They can earn the right to do so by winning out thanks to the Detroit Lions' loss this week to the New York Giants.

Additionally, the Packers remain alive -- albeit barely -- for the No. 2 seed. For that to occur, the Seattle Seahawks would have to lose the rest of their regular-season games. They host the Arizona Cardinals at home on Christmas Eve and finish on the road against the San Francisco 49ers.