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With the Packers handling their business on Turkey Day, there was little to do on Sunday for fans of the green and gold but watch the scoreboard. Oh, and I'm sure they hotly anticipated that Bears-Vikings instant classic. With the playoffs in their sights, they now control their own destiny, and as I have mentioned before the schedule shapes up nicely for Green Bay.
On Thanksgiving the Giants lost to the Broncos, a very important loss because it not only gave the Packers a one game advantage over the G-men, but should the Giants and Packers end up tied at the end of the season in both overall record and conference record, the Giants would likely win the common opponents tie-breaker over the Green Bay (realx, that assumes a lot!).
Earlier that day the Cowboys dominated the Raiders and with Arizona's loss yesterday, Dallas now has a one game lead over the Cardinals for the third spot in the NFC Playoffs.
Yesterday the Eagles were able to slip past the Redskins in the final stages of the game to keep a grip on the fifth spot in the NFC Playoff race. Currently the Eagles hold the tie-breaker over the Packers because of a better conference record (6-3 for GB vs. PHIL's 6-2).
Atlanta's last second win kept them in the hunt for the final spot in the NFC as well. At 6-5 the Falcons sit just one loss behind both the Eagles and the Packers for the sixth seed. Currently they sit behind the Giants because of a Week 11 loss in New York.
What to watch for Week 13:
NFC Playoff Picture
|
| Seed |
Team |
Division |
Record |
| 1 |
 |
South |
10-0-0 |
| 2 |
 |
North |
10-1-0 |
| 3 |
 |
East |
8-3-0 |
| 4 |
 |
West |
7-4-0 |
| 5 |
 |
East |
7-4-0 |
| 6 |
 |
North |
7-4-0 |
There will be more scoreboard watching this weekend for the Packers. The Ravens come to town for Week 13, but the game is scheduled for Monday night, leaving fans all day Sunday to sit and keep their eyes on the opposition.
Dallas and New York face off for a divisional game that could all but end the Giants hopes for a division title. A loss for the Giants would put them three losses behind the Cowboys in the NFC East and at 6-6 overall. A win for New York jumps them to 7-5 and would put the Cowboys at 8-4, further cramping the top of the division.
The Eagles will head to Atlanta where the status of both Matt Ryan and Michael Turner is questionable as of this morning. This will be the game most Packer fans have an eye on. An Atlanta win would give the Packers what they need to jump into that fifth spot in the NFC.
Just win
It's can all be confusing at this point in the season with so many teams hanging around. First and foremost the Packers must win. No other game matters more than the one on Monday night and if the Packers can't beat the Ravens at home before what should be a very winnable game in Chicago they take the control from themselves.
On Sunday though, if you want to watch for more than just some fantasy football numbers, here is who you want to align yourself with: the Cowboys, the Falcons, the Seahawks and what the hell how about the Cardinals and Rams.
A Cowboy win over the Giants pushes New York further behind the Packers, giving them a little more breathing room. Though, a Giant win would not necessarily be the worst thing either. If the Eagles or the Giants were to take over the division lead from the Cowboys, the Packers would own the tie-breaker over Dallas if all things ended equal.
A Falcon win over the Eagles would give the Packers a shot to take over the fifth spot with a win against the Ravens. This is the game to watch.
The Seahawks could push the 49ers further back than they already are, making the playoffs nearly unreachable for San Francisco.
If you still hold out hope for a Vikings collapse, root for the Cardinals. I'm sure you will anyways.
A Rams win would just be entertaining, I'm assuming.
There you have it, an early look at Week 13 and what it holds for the Green Bay Packers. It's a long time in between games, but for the fans there is going to be some interesting football to watch this Sunday.
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