Just win baby. After losing to the Atlanta Falcons, the Green Bay Packers currently trail the Chicago Bears by one game in the NFC North standings. Even if things stay like that going into the final game match up vs. Chicago, a win by the Packers in that game would crown them NFC North Champs, by way of a series of tiebreakers.
This just made my day yesterday when it was reported by Bill Huber on PackerReport.com (subscription required). Here are the details.
If Green Bay beats Chicago in the season finale at Lambeau Field and if nothing else changes in the standings, the teams would end up tied. The first tiebreaker is head-to-head, which would be tied 1-1. The next tiebreaker is division record, which would be tied, as well. The next tiebreaker is common opponents: the six division games and four matchups apiece against the NFC East (Dallas, Giants, Washington and Philadelphia) and AFC East (Buffalo, Miami, New England and Jets). That tiebreaker would be tied, as well – the Packers are 7-3 (games remaining against Chicago, Detroit, Giants and New England) and the Bears are 7-2 (games remaining against all three North teams, New England and the Jets). That would leave it to conference record. Both teams have three losses in NFC games, so a Green Bay win in the finale would be the difference.
I don’t know about you, but this allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief. Knowing that the Packers don’t necessarily have to get even up with the Bears before their meeting gives me a new confidence that the Packers will indeed be the NFC Conference Champions in 2010.
Have a Happy Day!
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Jersey Al Bracco is the founder and editor of AllGreenBayPackers.com, and the co-founder of Packers Talk Radio Network. He can be heard as one of the Co-Hosts on Cheesehead Radio and is the Green Bay Packers Draft Analyst for Drafttek.com.
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Credit to where credit is due. Kevin Seifert was the first to figure it out: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/20224/update-bears-and-packers-control-destiny
Ah, thanks for that…
I have a hard time beleiving both teams will finish 12-4
Both teams can’t finish 12-4, but I know what you meant. Still, it’s good to know that even if the Bears manage to get to 12-3, as long as the Packers are at least 11-4 and then beat the Bears, GB are the champs.
The point is more that if the Packers win out – they’re the champs, so they control their own destiny.
I have a hard time believing that McCarthy’s play calling, and the Special Teams performance are going to enable a 12-4 season for the Packers. I also have a hard time believing that the Bears will win out (except week 17), too.
The point is more that if the Packers win out – they’re the champs, so they control their own destiny.
“The point is more that if the Packers win out – they’re the champs, so they control their own destiny.”
It seems like I quoted you, Al, in my reply above without saying that I did. Oops!
Packers: win 49ers, win Lions, lose Patriots, win Giants, win Bears. Finish 11-5.
Bears: win Lions, lose Patrios, lose Vikings, lose Jets, lose Packers. Finish 9-7.
RS, thanks for bringing me in off the ledge. Let’s hope. Sunday will tell us a lot about the rest of the season. A snow storm coming on Saturday and a cold Sunday. GB weather?
I hope you’re right, RS. 🙂
This is a fun little tool:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/machine
Playing around with it, the Packers still have a good chance of making the 6th or 3rd seed depending on how things play out. And that Week 17 game will surely be a factor.
I especially line the “home team” scenario where the Packers end up as the 2 seed.
That 5th seed also will be coveted (that means a first-round matchup w/ the NFC West winner).
If Cutler continues to not make dumb throws, the possibilities are endless for the Bears. That offense makes a lot of big plays.
However, Cutler styaing smart is a very big if.
Fifth seed is only meaningful in that the fans of that team will have a greater chance for another week of football. I don’t like the idea of consistently beating the teams that are currently 4-7, etc., then having to go play against a 12-4 opponent at their house. We have to win the big games against the big teams., though I’m not saying I wouldn’t be happy with an extra week of football.
Yep, and that means MM has got to win the close ones. Til now MM’s track record for the close ones is awful, make that abysmal. He needs to develop a killler instinct and review the way he plans the games.
As I said before the season started, score early – score often. MM’s record says he will not win the close ones.
Stop depressing me, Ron…
GB is effectively down two games to Chicago. A tie only counts if GB wins against Chicago. Hence, their destiny is in the hands of others. NE? GB plays them on the road – Bears are home. Jets? Bear D will give Sanchez fits. Finally, Queens are a basket case and the game is in Chicago.
I’m worried, very worried.
No, if they win every game, they’re the champs. Doesn’t matter what anyone else does. Thus, they control their own destiny.
Ron:
Actually, the Packers destiny is in their own hands. Win out and they win the division.
Also, the Packers/Bears game is in MN.
um, Adam, As a MN resident, I know you would like to see the Packers playing their home games in MN, but, alas, Lambeau Field remains their home. 🙂
Same can be said for the Bears. The likelyhood of either doing that is remote. oops the Jets are in Chi. Sorry!