The Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings all won on Sunday, providing little help for the Green Bay Packers, but Matt LaFleur’s team can still clinch a playoff spot with a win over the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football” from Lambeau Field.
The Falcons cruised past the New York Giants in Michael Penix Jr.’s first career start, the Rams outlasted Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets, the Commanders came back to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, the Lions had no problems dispatching the Chicago Bears and the Vikings got a late touchdown from Justin Jefferson to beat the Seattle Seahawks.
To clinch a playoff spot on Sunday, the Packers needed the Falcons to lose or tie and either the Rams or Seahawks to lose or tie.
Instead, the Falcons won, eliminating any clinching scenario on Sunday, and the Lions and Vikings both won — eliminating the Packers from NFC North title contention.
Also, the Commanders got their 10th win, putting pressure on the Packers to keep winning to avoid being the No. 7 seed.
With a win over the Saints on Monday night, the Packers will clinch at least the No. 7 seed. LaFleur’s team can still finish 13-4 and as high as the No. 5 seed, but there are only three options now: No. 7 seed, No. 6 seed or No. 5 seed. The Packers can’t finish higher.
After playing the Saints, Green Bay finishes with a road game against the Vikings and a home game against the Bears, who have lost nine straight games. The trip to Minneapolis will help determine who wins the NFC North and if the Packers can jump the Vikings to get to the No. 5 seed.
But first things first: the Packers need to take care of business at home against a 5-9 Saints team that is already eliminated from the playoff field and missing several key players.
NFC playoff picture entering MNF
1. Detroit Lions (13-2) — clinched playoff spot
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) — clinched playoff spot
3. Los Angeles Rams (9-5)
4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2) — clinched playoff spot
6. Green Bay Packers (10-4)
7. Washington Commanders (10-5)
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
All other NFC teams have been eliminated.
