Christmas came early for the Green Bay Packers, but the holiday spirit faded just as quickly as it arrived. On December 25, 2025, the Packers clinched a playoff berth without even taking the field, thanks to the Minnesota Vikings’ 23-10 victory over the Detroit Lions. That result officially knocked the Lions out of postseason contention and handed Green Bay its ticket to the NFL playoffs for the third consecutive year under quarterback Jordan Love. But as the week unfolded, the Packers’ dreams of a division crown evaporated in the chilly Lambeau night.
Entering Week 17, there was cautious optimism swirling around Green Bay. The team, sitting at 9-5-1, was locked into the NFC’s seventh and final playoff spot, but still harbored a faint hope of snatching the NFC North title. The math was daunting: the Packers needed to win out against the Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings, while the division-leading Chicago Bears had to lose both their remaining games—first to the San Francisco 49ers and then to the Lions. According to The Athletic’s playoff simulator, Green Bay’s odds hovered at a mere 13 percent. Still, as any seasoned football fan knows, stranger things have happened in December.
But Saturday night at Lambeau Field brought a harsh dose of reality. The Packers’ Week 17 clash with the Ravens was billed as “The Battle of the Backups,” with both teams forced to turn to reserve quarterbacks—Malik Willis for Baltimore and Tyler Huntley for Green Bay—due to injuries. If anyone expected a defensive slugfest, they were in for a surprise. Willis dazzled, amassing over 300 yards of total offense and three touchdowns, while Derrick Henry bulldozed his way to more than 200 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a performance for the ages. Huntley showed flashes, but the Ravens simply had too much firepower. The final score: Baltimore 41, Green Bay 24.
That loss didn’t just sting; it slammed the door on the Packers’ slim divisional hopes. With Chicago’s record at 11-4 and Green Bay falling to 9-6-1, the Bears clinched their first NFC North title since 2018. The Packers, meanwhile, are locked into second place in the division and the No. 7 seed in the NFC. The Vikings and Lions, both sitting at 8-8, round out the division standings. For the Packers, the only thing left in the regular season is a road trip to Minnesota in Week 18—a game that, with playoff seeding set, could see plenty of backups taking the field for both sides.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the division, there’s no denying that Green Bay’s playoff streak under Matt LaFleur is impressive. The team has now reached the postseason in six of LaFleur’s seven seasons at the helm, including all three years since Jordan Love took over as starting quarterback. The only miss came in 2022, Aaron Rodgers’ swan song in Green Bay. Last season, the Packers finished 11-6 and snuck into the wild card round, only to be bounced by the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, 22-10. This year, with a 9-6-1 record and the seventh seed secured, Green Bay is set to face the NFC’s No. 2 seed—currently, that’s none other than their old rivals, the Chicago Bears.
The road to this point hasn’t been smooth. Injuries have dogged the Packers throughout the campaign, with key contributors like tight end Tucker Kraft and defensive end Micah Parsons sidelined for the season. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt has also missed time. Even Jordan Love’s status was up in the air ahead of the Ravens game, as he was a limited participant in practice and questionable to play due to a concussion. The outlook for his return is encouraging, but the team has had to adjust on the fly. As one report noted, “the Packers can also manage some of the injuries they’re dealing with,” now that their playoff position is locked in.
Looking back, the Packers’ playoff berth was as much about their own resilience as it was about the Lions’ collapse. Detroit needed a win on Christmas Day just to keep its postseason hopes alive, but quarterback Jared Goff had a nightmare outing, tossing two interceptions and losing three fumbles. Jahmyr Gibbs chipped in with another fumble, bringing the Lions’ turnover tally to six. Despite a valiant effort from their defense, which surrendered only two touchdowns, the Lions’ offense never found its rhythm. As reported, “it was no surprise they lost after turning the ball over six times.” The Packers, watching from home, punched their ticket before even lacing up their cleats.
So what’s next for the Packers? With one regular season game remaining—a “dead rubber” at Minnesota—the focus will likely shift to resting starters and nursing injuries. “Given Jordan Love’s health and the lack of playoff implications on next weekend’s matchup, expect to see a fair few backups see some action in this contest,” predicted one analyst. For fans, it’s a chance to glimpse the team’s depth, but the real intrigue lies in the wild card round.
Green Bay’s likely opponent? The Chicago Bears. The prospect of a playoff showdown between these storied rivals is enough to get any football fan’s heart racing. The Bears, having clinched the division, are fighting for the NFC’s top seed, with games remaining against the 49ers and Lions. The Packers, meanwhile, will have to regroup and hope their stars are healthy for the postseason. With the NFC stacked—Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and Philadelphia Eagles all boasting double-digit wins—there’s no easy path to the Super Bowl. But as history has shown, a hot team in January can make magic happen.
Despite the setbacks, there’s a sense of pride in Green Bay. As one report put it, “the Packers have to be happy they got help, as they were unable to beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17.” Clinching a playoff berth for the third straight year, especially after losing star players to injury, is no small feat. The Packers’ resilience and ability to capitalize on opportunities have kept them in the hunt, even as the odds shifted against them. Now, with the postseason looming, the question is simple: can Green Bay pull off another playoff surprise?
All eyes turn to Week 18 in Minnesota and, beyond that, a wild card clash that could reignite one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries. The Packers’ division dreams may be dashed, but their season is far from over. The dance is about to begin—and in the NFL, anything can happen once the playoffs start.
