The New Orleans Saints did their part to clinch a first-round bye during Week 17’s early games, but a dominant victory over the Carolina Panthers wasn’t enough to secure that coveted week of rest. They needed some help from the Detroit Lions in their season-closing matchup with the Green Bay Packers, but at the end of the day the Lions were just too beaten-up to close it out and do the Saints a solid.
Now, the Packers have clinched a first-round bye, and potentially the first seed in the NFC playoff standings. Another wave of games in the late-afternoon slate will help settle the rest of the playoff picture, and Sunday night’s pivotal battle for the NFC West crown will decide it all.