Monday night was a must-win game for the Packers, and they won.
Green Bay went to Philadelphia and looked more like the good team we’ve expected the Packers to be, and less like the mess they’ve been recently. More importantly, the Packers showed that they still have a chance in the NFC North.
Although the Packers still need some help to catch the Lions, they’ve now got a good chance of still being alive in the playoff race when they head to Detroit for Week 17.
Here’s how the whole playoff race looks:
LEADERS
1. Cowboys (10-1): They’re the clear favorites to earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, although they’ve got the Giants in the rear-view mirror.
2. Seahawks (7-3-1): Seattle struggled on Sunday, but the Seahawks have the NFC West all but clinched.
3. Lions (7-4): Who thought Detroit would be just a half game out of a bye through 12 weeks of the season?
4. Falcons (7-4): Need to keep winning to stay ahead of the surging Bucs.
5. Giants (8-3): Having already beaten the Cowboys head-to-head once, the Giants are still within shouting distance of the top of the NFC East.
6. Washington (6-4-1): A long shot to win the division, but the favorites for the last wild card spot.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
7. Buccaneers (6-5): They’re still in the mix for both the NFC South and a wild card.
8. Vikings (6-5): After starting 5-0, the Vikings are falling apart. Can they save their season by upsetting the Cowboys on Thursday night?
9. Saints (5-6): A big game against Detroit on Sunday will have playoff implications for both teams.
10. Packers (5-6): They might have to run the table to win the division. If they keep playing like they played Monday night, that’s a possibility.
11. Eagles (5-6): Monday night’s loss means they’re out of it.
12. Cardinals (4-6-1): It’s been a hugely disappointing season in Arizona.
13. Panthers (4-7): The reigning NFC champions are way back in the pack this year.
14. Rams (4-7): Jeff Fisher’s team needs to win most of its remaining games just to get to some 7-9 B.S.
15. Bears (2-9): The only question left is whether they can play spoiler by upsetting a division rival -- or whether they can improve their draft pick by losing to the 49ers.
16. 49ers (1-10): Mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
