The Green Bay Packers secured their playoff spot on Thursday night with a crucial home win, moving to 5-3 overall and 4-3 in the NFC. This means they are sticking firmly in the seventh seed, and here is the gut-punch, Seattle: they *cannot* be passed by our Seahawks for that slot, not even if the Hawks pull off a win on Sunday.
Packers Lock Up Their Spot
If the Packers had dropped their Thursday night game, they would have been sitting at .500 for the season and, worse, they’d have fallen completely out of the playoff picture. But they didn’t. They won, keeping themselves at 5-3 and planting themselves firmly in the NFC’s final wild card spot well into November. This also means they can’t jump the Detroit Lions for the sixth spot this week, since the Lions snagged a Week 7 victory over Green Bay. So, the Packers are locked in at seventh.
Where Does This Leave Our Hawks?
This is where it stings a little for us in the Emerald City. Our Seahawks, currently sitting at 4-3, have a chance to improve their record on Sunday. But even with a win, the first tiebreaker, NFC record, works against us. The Packers’ 4-3 NFC record is enough to keep them ahead of our Hawks for that coveted seventh spot, despite what our overall record might become.
The Current NFC Playoff Picture
Here’s how the NFC is shaping up after Thursday night, with our Hawks looking up from just outside that top seven:
* Minnesota Vikings (6-0)
* San Francisco 49ers (6-1)
* New York Giants (4-2-1)
* Carolina Panthers (3-4, win over ATL)
* Chicago Bears (5-2)
* Detroit Lions (4-2)
* Green Bay Packers (5-3)
* Seattle Seahawks (4-3)
* Atlanta Falcons (3-4, loss to CAR, 3-2 NFC)
* Los Angeles Rams (3-4, 2-2 NFC)
* Dallas Cowboys (3-4, 2-3 NFC)
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5, 1-0 NFCS)
* New Orleans Saints (2-5, 0-1 NFCS, 1-3 NFC)
* Arizona Cardinals (2-5, 1-4 NFC, 3 Strength of Victory)
* Philadelphia Eagles (2-5, 1-4 NFC, 2.5 Strength of Victory)
* Washington Commanders (1-4-1)
While the Packers cemented their place for now, our Hawks still have their game on Sunday. That result won’t move us past Green Bay for the 7th seed *this week*, but it’s crucial for keeping pace in a tight conference. Every win matters, especially when the margins are this slim. Let’s see what our squad brings to the field on Sunday, because this race is far from over.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Acme Packing Company.
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