**Packers Seek Crucial Victory Over 49ers to Boost Playoff Prospects**

The Green Bay Packers are poised to significantly improve their playoff standing and hinder the San Francisco 49ers' postseason hopes with a victory at Lambeau Field this Sunday. Timo Riske of Pro Football Focus, who monitors weekly playoff probabilities and game leverage, highlights the critical nature of this matchup. A win for the Packers could elevate their playoff chances to over 90 percent while reducing the 49ers' chances to about 15 percent, making it one of the most pivotal games in the NFC this weekend.

Currently holding a 7-3 record, the Packers sit in the No. 6 seed of the NFC. Meanwhile, the 49ers, with a 5-5 record, occupy the No. 10 spot and trail the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. The 49ers' conference record of 3-4, including a disappointing 1-3 in their division, exacerbates their plight. Another conference loss, especially to a direct wild-card competitor, would significantly derail their playoff aspirations.

If the Packers secure a victory and improve to 8-3, they will maintain at least a two-win cushion over any team trailing them in the postseason race. Conversely, a loss would drop their playoff probability below 60 percent while boosting the 49ers' chances to over 50 percent, according to Riske’s projection.

Another notable NFC matchup this week is between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. A Cardinals win could raise their playoff probability to nearly 80 percent, while a loss would bring it below 40 percent.

The outcomes of these games could bring substantial clarity to the NFC playoff picture. Victories by the Packers, Cardinals, and Commanders would result in the top seven teams in the NFC having playoff chances above 70 percent entering Week 13, with five teams—Packers, Commanders, Vikings, Lions, and Eagles—surpassing the 90 percent threshold.

In Week 12, the NFC playoff race features several important games:
1. Detroit Lions (9-1) vs. Indianapolis Colts
2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) vs. Los Angeles Rams
3. Arizona Cardinals (6-4) vs. Seattle Seahawks
4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5) – bye week
5. Minnesota Vikings (8-2) vs. Chicago Bears
6. Green Bay Packers (7-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers
7. Washington Commanders (7-4) vs. Dallas Cowboys
8. Los Angeles Rams (5-5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
9. Seattle Seahawks (5-5) vs. Arizona Cardinals
10. San Francisco 49ers (5-5) vs. Green Bay Packers
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) vs. New York Giants
12. Chicago Bears (4-6) vs. Minnesota Vikings

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