So with all that in mind, here’s the rundown on Week 17 and the potential implications involving the Packers:
Detroit (8-7) at Minnesota (7-8) – A Lions loss on Christmas Day would clinch a playoff spot for the Packers before Green Bay even plays on Saturday, so root for the Vikings to hand the Lions their third straight defeat and eliminate them.
Seattle (12-3) at Carolina (8-7) – This game doesn’t really have any direct impact on the Packers’ fortunes. But if you’d like to see someone other than the Seahawks win the NFC West and/or want Carolina to have a shot at overtaking the Eagles in the playoff seeding, cheer for the Panthers. If you’d rather see Tampa Bay win the NFC South instead of Carolina, root for the Seahawks.
Philadelphia (10-5) at Buffalo (11-4) – The Packers still have a shot at the NFC North, and any losses by Philly would help the NFC North winner finish with a better seed than the NFC East winner, so pull for the Bills to knock off the Eagles.
Chicago (11-4) at San Francisco (11-4) – The Sunday night game will kick off nearly 24 hours after the Packers’ result against the Ravens, and Saturday night’s game at Lambeau determines the rooting interest. If the Packers win to stay alive in the NFC North race, cheer for the 49ers to beat the Bears. But if the Packers lose and can only get a wild card if they get into the playoffs, it could help Green Bay’s potential seed if the Bears win this one.
L.A. Rams (11-4) at Atlanta (6-9) – If the Rams don’t win the NFC West and are in the wild-card picture, the Packers could be fighting for seeding position with them, so cheer for a Falcons upset of the Rams on Monday night.
