The Packers are all but a lock to make the playoffs at 10-4, but would mathematically clinch a wild-card berth with a win against the Saints Monday night.
There’s no chance that they’ll win the NFC North, though. A win by the 13-2 Lions knocked the Packers out of contention for the division title on Sunday. The Packers can finish no better than tied with the Lions, who hold the tiebreaker thanks to a sweep of their regular-season series.
In addition to clinching, the Packers are playing to remain in the No. 6 seed ahead of the 10-5 Washington Commanders, who project as the No. 7 seed in the NFC. The No. 7 seed faces a likely playoff path with games against the Eagles and the eventual NFC North champion, whether that’s the Lions or the Vikings, a difficult road to the Super Bowl.
The Packers are also seeking to avoid the disaster scenario that would knock them out of the playoffs. This would require Green Bay to lose all of its remaining three games and the Falcons (8-7) and Bucs (8-7) to win out to put two NFC South teams alongside the Commanders in the playoffs with the Packers left out. The Falcons, Bucs and Commanders would all have the tiebreaker advantage if they each finished 10-7.