Fresh off the heels of their come-from-behind 16-13 victory over the Detroit Lions Sunday, the Green Bay Packers are just one win away from clinching a spot in the NFC playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and the 10th time in the past 12 years.
According to the NFL, the Packers will ensure themselves of a berth in the postseason with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday at 3:15 (CT) at Lambeau Field. A win would be the Green and Gold's ninth of the season and would put them one step closer to their third consecutive NFC North Division title, which could be locked up the following Friday when they travel to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Vikings December 24.
Other scenarios which would see the Packers reach the postseason without a win Sunday involve a rare tie game. If the Packers were to tie Jacksonville - which would be their first tie game since 1987's 17-17 draw with the Denver Broncos in Milwaukee - Green Bay would clinch a spot in the playoffs with either a loss by the St. Louis Rams in Arizona against the Cardinals Sunday afternoon or a loss or tie by the Carolina Panthers in Atlanta against the Falcons Saturday night.
Additionally, the Packers could qualify for postseason action regardless of the outcome of their game, depending on other results. The Packers would lock up a playoff spot if any of these six scenarios were to play out this weekend:
1) Chicago loss or tie at home to Houston St. Louis loss at Arizona Carolina loss at Atlanta Dallas loss or tie at Philadelphia.
2) Chicago loss or tie at home to Houston St. Louis loss at Arizona Carolina loss at Atlanta Tampa Bay loss or tie at home to New Orleans Seattle win at the New York Jets.
3) Chicago loss or tie at home to Houston St. Louis loss at Arizona New York Giants loss or tie at home to Pittsburgh Dallas loss or tie at Philadelphia.
4) Chicago loss or tie at home to Houston St. Louis loss at Arizona New York Giants loss or tie at home to Pittsburgh Tampa Bay loss or tie at home to New Orleans Seattle win at the New York Jets.
5) Chicago loss or tie at home to Houston New York Giants loss or tie at home to Pittsburgh Dallas loss or tie at Philadelphia Carolina loss at Atlanta.
6) Chicago loss or tie at home to Houston New York Giants loss or tie at home to Pittsburgh Carolina loss at Atlanta Tampa Bay loss or tie at home to New Orleans Seattle win at the New York Jets.
**Click here** for full NFL standings on NFL.com, which provides a link to a full explanation of the league's tiebreaker procedures as well.
