If NFL fans were left wanting by the Christmas triple-header, don’t worry. There are two games on Saturday, both featuring playoff contenders.
The slate starts with the Houston Texans heading on the road to take on the Los Angeles Chargers. Houston’s aiming to lock up the final wild-card berth in the AFC with a win, while the Chargers are trying to keep ahead of the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card seeding.
Once the action wraps up from Los Angeles, another crucial game for playoff seeding kicks off in Green Bay. The Packers host the Baltimore Ravens in a must-win to keep their chances of winning the NFC North alive.
But, they’ll have to do it without their starting quarterback.
In Week 16 against Chicago, Love took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Bears defensive lineman Austin Booker during the second quarter and was later ruled out of the game. Love entered the NFL’s concussion protocol after the game.
Here’s the latest on who will start in his place and the Packers’ playoff picture entering Week 17:
Who is Jordan Love’s backup?
Willis was also on the injury report this week due to a right shoulder injury and illness. He did not practice on Wednesday and was limited during the team’s final practice on Thursday. Practice squad quarterback Clayton Tune is expected to be elevated to Willis’ backup for Saturday’s game against Baltimore.
NFC North standings
Here’s how things look entering Week 17:
- Chicago Bears: 11-4 (2-3 NFC North)
- Green Bay Packers: 9-5-1 (4-1)
- Minnesota Vikings: 8-8 (3-2)
- Detroit Lions: 8-8 (1-4)
Both the Vikings and Lions are eliminated from playoff and division contention. It’s down to the Bears and the Packers for the NFC North crown; whichever team doesn’t get it will likely be the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Packers’ chances, odds to win NFC North
Green Bay has already secured a playoff spot regardless of what happens over the final two weeks of the regular season. Win out, lose out or split, it doesn’t matter. They’ll be in the postseason.
As things stand, the Bears are the heavy favorites to win the NFC North over the Packers because Green Bay does not control its own destiny. The Packers need to win out against the Ravens and Vikings in addition to the Bears losing out against the 49ers and Lions in order to win the title.
BetMGM’s latest NFL odds put the Packers at +650 to win the division compared to -1000 for the Bears. The Athletic’s playoff simulator gives the Bears an 86% chance to win the NFC North title compared to 14% for Green Bay.
NFC playoff picture
Here’s how things stand in the NFC after Christmas:
*=clinched playoff berth
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3, NFC West leader)*
- Chicago Bears (11-4, NFC North leader)*
- Philadelphia Eagles (10-5, NFC East winner)*
- Carolina Panthers (8-7, NFC South leader)
- San Francisco 49ers (11-4, No. 1 wild-card seed)*
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4, No. 2 wild-card seed)*
- Green Bay Packers (9-5-1, No. 3 wild-card seed)*
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
Eliminated: Minnesota Vikings (8-8), Detroit Lions (8-8), Dallas Cowboys (7-8), Atlanta Falcons (6-9), New Orleans Saints (5-10), Washington Commanders (4-12), Arizona Cardinals (3-12), New York Giants (2-13)
