Three teams in the NFC North are still in the playoff hunt with just three weeks remaining in the season. Detroit's been eliminated from playoff contention, but can still play a factor with a Week 17 matchup vs. Green Bay looming.
This week's NFC North column breaks down the race for the NFC North title and how teams within the division might fit into the overall playoff picture come January.
GREEN BAY
Record: 10-3
Last week: Green Bay 20, Washington 15
Remaining opponents: vs. Chicago (7-6), at Minnesota (9-4), at Detroit (3-9-1)
Playoff position: The Packers can clinch a playoff spot Sunday with a win over Chicago and a loss or tie by the Los Angeles Rams. Green Bay can even get in with a tie against Chicago and a Rams loss.
Green Bay currently holds the No. 2 spot in the NFC and a first-round bye. They're also a game up on the Vikings for the NFC North division crown. The Packers control their own destiny for a division win and first-round bye. Week 16 in Minnesota will be a monster matchup in the NFC North.
MINNESOTA
Record: 9-4
Last week: Minnesota 20, Detroit 7
Remaining opponents: at Chargers (5-8), vs. Packers (10-3), vs. Bears (7-6)
Playoff position: The Vikings are currently the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff picture. Everything is still on the table for the Vikings, including a division title, as long they win their last three contests and get a little help.
The tie-breaking scenario for a division title is head-to-head matchup first (Green Bay defeated Minnesota earlier in the year) and second is the record within the division. Minnesota is 2-2 in the division and Green Bay is 3-0.
If Minnesota wins out they finish 12-4 and 4-2 in the division. If Green Bay wins just two more games – all against division opponents – they can lose to Minnesota Week 16 and still win the North because they'll also have a 12-4 record but 5-1 mark in the North. To win the division, the Vikings need the Packers to lose at least two of their remaining three games. The third tie breaker for the division title, if they both finish 12-4 overall and 4-2 in division, is record against common opponents.
CHICAGO
Record: 7-6
Last week: Chicago 31, Dallas 24
Remaining opponents: at Green Bay (10-3), vs. Kansas City (9-4), at Minnesota (9-4)
Playoff position: The Bears have a tough task ahead of them finishing the season against three teams who all have at least nine wins.
Chicago is currently the No. 8 seed in the NFC, one spot behind the Rams (8-5), and will need quite a bit of help to get in, but it's still mathematically available to them. First and foremost, Chicago needs to keep their win streak going. They've won three straight.
View photos from the Lions-Buccaneers matchups through the years.
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) gets hit by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) after Slay picked up a fumble by Buccaneers' O.J. Howard during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) runs upfield against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Dec. 10, 2017 in Tampa, Fla. The Lions won 24 -21. (Al Messerschmidt via AP).
Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater (5) kicks what proved to be the game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. The Lions won the game 24-21. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) gets set to run a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) points to the crowd after his 1-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) stiff arms Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Mark Barron (23) during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best (44) eludes Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Adrian Clayborn (94) on a first quarter run during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) of the Detroit Lions grabs a touchdown pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium September 11, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson (13) gets hit by Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Corey Lynch (41) as he crosses the goal line after catching a 10-yard, first-quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Drew Stanton during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Center Dominic Raiola (51) of the Detroit Lions sets for play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers December 19, 2010 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) celebrates his 15-yard touchdown catch with wide receiver John Standeford in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson runs for a 32-yard touchdown on a reverse against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna (8) holds onto the ball as he is pressured byTampa Bay Buccaneers defenders during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Herman Moore (84) celebrates with Germaine Crowell (82) after he caught a 50-yard touchdown pass as time expired in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000. The touchdown was the first offensive touchdown of the season for the Lions. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa Stadium on Nov. 22, 1998 in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders (20) shakes hands with Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy before the NFC Wildcard Game, a 20 - 10 Buccaneers victory on Dec. 28, 1997, at Houlihan's Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders runs for 237 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa Stadium on Nov. 11,1994 in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
Detroit Lions aid receiver Jeff Campbell (87) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Oct. 3, 1993, in Tampa, Fla. (Allen Kee via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson (4) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Oct. 3, 1993, in Tampa, Fla. (Allen Kee via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Rodney Peete (9) gets set to throw a pass during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Oct. 25, 1992, in Tampa, Fla. (Chuck Solomon via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders plows his way through two defenders during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Florida on Nov. 10, 1991. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Detroit Lions tackle Keith Dorney (70) blocks during a 19 - 16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 24, 1985, at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Detroit Lions' Billy Sims tries to elude the grasp of Tampa Bay Buccaneer defender Scot Brantley in the second quarter but Sims was brought down after a short run in Tampa, Florida, Sept. 16, 1984. Brantley is No. 52 at left. (AP Photo/Fred Fox)
Detroit Lions running back Billy Sims (20) stretches before the Lions 23-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 26, 1982 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Detroit Lions running back Billy Sims (20) carries the football and tries to elude the pursuit of Buccaneers linebacker Andy Hawkins (59) during the Lions 24-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 23, 1980 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
DETROIT
Record: 3-9-1
Last week: Minnesota 20, Detroit 7
Remaining opponents: vs. Tampa Bay (6-7), at Denver (5-8), vs. Green Bay (10-3)
Playoff position: Detroit was officially eliminated from playoff contention with their loss to Chicago on Thanksgiving. The playoffs aren't in the cards for the Lions for a third straight season, but they can still play a factor in the postseason and the role of spoiler by hosting Green Bay Week 17. Green Bay in all likelihood will still be playing for something, whether that's a division crown or first-round bye.
