By beating the Washington Redskins on Saturday night, the New York Giants stole what little New Year’s Eve suspense remained for the Green Bay Packers’ playoff chances against the Bears.
The 8-8 Giants eliminated the Panthers, Falcons and Rams and left the Packers only a remote shot.
The Giants have virtually clinched the sixth and final NFC playoff seed unless eight other games fall perfectly for the Packers before kickoff at Soldier Field.
A Giants victory means the Packers’ only hope is to not only beat the Bears but salvage a strength-of-victory tiebreaker over the Giants based on the outcome of eight Sunday games.
All eight outcomes would be upsets, according to published spreads. Here’s what must happen:
– Detroit, 12 1/2-point underdog, must win at Dallas.
– Miami, 9-point underdog, must win at Indianapolis.
– Minnesota, 2 1/2-point underdog, must beat St. Louis.
– Carolina, 3-point favorite, must lose at New Orleans.
– Houston, 4 1/2-point favorite, must lose to Cleveland.
– Tampa Bay, 3-point favorite, must lose to Seattle.
– Arizona, 14-point underdog, must win at San Diego.
– San Francisco, 10-point underdog, must win at Denver.
Odds, anyone?