How the Green Bay Packers clinch a berth in the NFL Playoffs in Week 18

Here’s what needs to happen in Week 18 for the Green Bay Packers to clinch a spot in the NFL Playoffs.

Following the losses of numerous teams vying for a wild-card berth in the NFC this past Sunday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers went out on Sunday night and took care of their own business against the Minnesota Vikings.

Jordan Love was nothing short of outstanding in a 33-10 victory, completing 24 of 33 passes for 256 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

With the victory, the Packers moved to 8-8 and will enter their regular-season finale against the rival Chicago Bears as the NFC’s No. 7 seed. And, given the circumstances of Week 17, Green Bay is currently in an excellent position moving into Week 18.

While not every club competing for a spot in the NFL Playoffs has complete control over its destiny, the Packers do. Moreover, unlike numerous other teams that are officially eliminated with a loss, Green Bay may lose to Chicago and still make the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.

Let’s take a look at every possible situation for the Packers in Week 18.

Week 18 Green Bay Packers clinching scenarios

Against the Bears, the Packers are in a “win and in” situation.

The Packers’ path to the playoffs is straightforward, as Matt LaFleur and company are in a “win and in” situation versus Chicago.

Of course, that’s easier said than done, as the Bears, who aided their old rivals by defeating the Atlanta Falcons a week ago, are playing their best football of the season and have won four of their last five games. They are not the same team that Green Bay defeated by 18 points in Week 1.

As previously stated, the Packers can lose and still qualify for the playoffs, albeit they’d need some help, just as they would if they matched Chicago, however unlikely that may be. There are six conceivable possibilities for Green Bay to make the playoffs, which are as follows:

• Packers win vs. Bears OR
• Packers tie vs. Bears + Seahawks lose/tie vs. Cardinals + Saints lose/tie vs. Falcons OR
• Packers tie vs. Bears + Seahawks lose vs. Cardinals + Buccaneers lose vs. Panthers OR
• Packers tie vs. Bears + Seahawks tie vs. Cardinals + Buccaneers lose/tie vs. Panthers OR
• Packers lose vs. Bears + Vikings lose/tie vs. Lions + Seahawks lose vs. Cardinals + Buccaneers lose vs. Panthers OR
• Packers lose vs. Bears + Vikings lose/tie vs. Lions + Seahawks lose vs. Cardinals + Saints lose vs. Falcons

That’s all there is to it. As you can see, the Packers are best prepared to just defeating the Bears and moving on without having to rely on anyone else.