Detroit Lions (13-2; lead NFC North; clinched playoff berth)
Philadelphia Eagles (12-3; lead NFC East; clinched playoff berth)
Los Angeles Rams (9-6; lead NFC West)
Atlanta Falcons (8-7; lead NFC South)
Wild Card Race
Minnesota Vikings (13-2, clinched playoff berth)
Green Bay Packers (11-4, clinched playoff berth)
Washington Commanders (10-5)
Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
Eliminated
Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
Arizona Cardinals (7-8)
San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
New Orleans Saints (5-10)
Carolina Panthers (4-11)
Chicago Bears (4-12)
New York Giants (2-13)
I mainly want to discuss how everything affects the NFC playoff picture and the Lions outlook.
Let’s start with the Packers.
If they win this week and the Lions beat SF the Lions clinch the number one seed.
The Packers only motivation to win is to have a better seed in the playoffs. Mainly they wouldn’t have to go to PHI. I think GB being the 7th seed would be a worse case scenario for PHI. They’re the one team that I think can beat PHI in PHI.
GB could decide to take it easy the next two weeks and start resting starters to get them healthy for the playoffs. If I were GB I’d try to get healthy. Even at the risk of losing a game the next two weeks. So if I have a bubble player who is banged up but can play. I may rest him or put him on a snap count.
Next let’s talk the Rams.
They lead the rest and Matt Stafford has been playing well lately. His OL is playing much better. They’re getting healthy at the right time and Matt coming to FF isn’t my favorite scenario. Even worse DET having to travel there.
Don’t forget about PHI
Philly is playing great football lately and they have the 2nd seed locked up. Who will travel to PHI? I’m hoping it’s GB and those two can duke it out on that frozen field. At this point Philly also gets to rest starters and get healthy. All the more reason we need to lock up that #1 seed.
That leaves us with MIN.
Min stands in the way of us having the #1 seed. I would prefer that the Lions lock it up this week with GB’s help but if they do not I like our chances to sweep MIN at FF…… in fact I have a feeling there will be a questionable call that gives MIN the win over GB. Setting up an epic matchup the final week.
Would be great if the Packers won, but it feels like it’s all coming down to the Vikes vs Lions next week.
I also feel dirty for even attempting to cheer for the Packers… Either way gonna need to burn my clothes and take a long shower after the game
Best case scenario the Pack wins by 1 point and both teams have several injuries. Might even call in a bomb threat mid game to really set the mood for em.
I’ve got a feeling the Packers are going to really out physical the Vikings. The Packers have the guys to really attack the interior Oline of the Vikings. Love is healthy and playing much better than he was in their earlier matchup. The Pressure is all on the Vikings. I also think the Vikings defense is gonna struggle against Jacobs. Vikings have a ton of weapons but just feels like this will be a hard nosed December playoff game and Packers will get the win.
I keep thinking the Vikings will lose and they keep disappointing me… Not this week though, Pack gonna give us a late Christmas present and the Lions will sew up the 1 seed on MNF
Yep. Mentioned this in an earlier thread. Wouldn’t surprise me in the least. NFL wants those ratings on the last night of the season.
You mentioned all the teams that concern me. In rough order, they are GB, Philly, LA and Minnesota.
If we are the one seed, we would likely either play the NFC West winner (yes, please), or the lowest WC team that “upsets” a division winner (likely GB or Minn). So - probably not the Rams. For some strange reason, I fear the Rams less on the road than at FF. We will take over SoFi if we are the five seed and play them. It would likely only happen in the NFC championship game if both teams make it that far.
If that were true teams wouldn’t rest players every year after they clinch.
Teams in their situation rest players every year for a reason. These last two weeks have little meaning for GB outside of winning a better seed and staying out of PHI.
Are we talking about “teams” or are we talking about the Packers?
You’ll see, Air. The Packers are playing all of their players that are healthy enough to play on Sunday and they are going to lay it all on the line. The entire country will be watching, it’s a rival and as you mentioned there still are significant seeding implications.
Don’t forget about the second round of the playoffs. If both Minny and GB advance to the divisional round (very very possible), the lower seed gets the Lions. They want to avoid that like the plague.
Hardly any teams sit players in week 17 even if everything is wrapped up.
You take your foot off the gas for 3 weeks (week #16 until Wild Card Round) and it is hard to get the rhythm back.
GB is playing their best football of the season and don’t want to stop now.
All playoff teams consider sitting players for week #18, but GB will be full go Sunday.
Hey guys, non troll Vikings fan here who’s been lurking long enough I figured I’d put some official numbers on the site. This is all getting pretty interesting and cut throat. First off I think we all can agree that the most likely scenario is Detroit winning the #1 seed, and in fairness you guys have the superior roster so that’s as it should be.
But that’s where it gets interesting. As such both Minnesota and Green Bay are looking at having to settle with Detroit in Detroit in the playoffs if they wanna make any real noise. So being we move onto the fact that the NFC North is a savage division full of teams that have no problem playing it as dirty as humanly possible.
Word out of Green Bay is that they aren’t very interested in helping the Lions get any rest. They seem content to take the 6th seed and head to LA. They’re looking to rest any and everyone they can against the Vikings because they, like most, don’t believe the Vikings are a real playoff threat and think forcing the Lions to play a jacked up Vikings team for the #1 seed week 18 is their best bet. Worst case scenario the lions have to play the entire season turned up to 11 and only get the bye week to heal up. Best case scenario the Vikings pull the upset, Detroit gets no rest and the packers are left with a very beatable #1 seed. There’s even rumors of GB sitting Love.
As I said, pettiness and cut throat action going on in the black and blue division
Like I’ve stated above…… I think theytry to win for the seeding purpose. It’s the main reason to putting health above winning. Getting the most healthy for round one will be their top priority. Gaining a higher seed will come secondary to health. I’m not expecting them to fold but I am expecting them to protect their roster for the playoffs.
Personally I think GB will give MIN a battle. I do think GB can beat MIN but I have a feeling MIN comes out on top and Packer fans are complaining about the refs along with how they didn’t field their full roster. (See previous Lions game)
I hope I’m wrong and GB destroys the Vikes.
But looking at their injury report they have 6 players listed as questionable. 4 of them were limited practice while two were full practice. My guess is those who need the rest to get right for playoffs will get the rest during the week and on Sunday. Maybe they’re on a limited snap count or do not play at all.
Alexander and Watson are the two I wonder the most on wether they rest or play.
