Packers Clinch 2026 NFL Playoff Berth on Xmas, Reference 'Home Alone' in Viral Post

The Green Bay Packers celebrated on social media after clinching a spot in the 2026 NFL playoffs on Christmas Day.

The Packers commemorated the accomplishment with a series of posts and videos on X, which included a reference to an iconic Home Alone quote.

Green Bay secured its playoff spot after the Detroit Lions suffered a 23-10 loss at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday and were subsequently eliminated from postseason contention.

Here's a look at the full updated standings and bracket after the Packers cemented their playoff status.

NFC Playoff Picture (x- clinched playoffs, z- clinched division)

Division Leaders

1. x- Seattle Seahawks (12-3, NFC West)

2. x- Chicago Bears (11-4, NFC North)

3. z- Philadelphia Eagles (10-5, NFC East)

4. Carolina Panthers (8-7, NFC South)

Wild Card Teams

5. x- San Francisco 49ers (11-4)

6. x- Los Angeles Rams (11-4)

7. x- Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)

In the Hunt

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)

Eliminated

Detroit Lions (8-8)

Minnesota Vikings (8-8)

Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1)

Atlanta Falcons (6-9)

New Orleans Saints (5-10)

Washington Commanders (4-12)

Arizona Cardinals (3-12)

New York Giants (2-13)

AFC Playoff Picture

Division Leaders

1. x- Denver Broncos (12-3, AFC West)

2. x- New England Patriots (12-3, AFC East)

3. x- Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4, AFC South)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6, AFC North)

Wild Card Teams

5. x- Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)

6. x-Buffalo Bills (11-4)

7. Houston Texans (10-5)

In The Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-7)

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-8)

Eliminated

Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)

Miami Dolphins (6-9)

Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)

New York Jets (3-12)

Tennessee Titans (3-12)

Cleveland Browns (3-12)

Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)

Green Bay is still in the race for the NFC North title, but it would need to win each of its final two regular-season contests while also requiring the Chicago Bears to lose their last two games.

Even without a division crown, the Packers are guaranteed to be making their sixth playoff appearance in seven seasons. They've also clinched a postseason spot for the third straight year.

Green Bay entered its 2025 campaign with high expectations, especially after acquiring star pass-rusher Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 28.

The Packers started this season 2-0, but suffered a surprising loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 before a tie with the Dallas Cowboys put them at 2-1-1 heading into their bye.

Green Bay responded by going 7-2 over its next nine contests, led by a defense that allowed a mere 18.1 points per game over that span.

The Packers will be shorthanded heading into the playoffs, as Parsons suffered a season-ending torn ACL against the Denver Broncos in Week 15.

Quarterback Jordan Love is also navigating through concussion protocol and dealing with a shoulder injury, with Green Bay listing him as questionable to play against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.

As Love works his way back onto the field, the Packers' playoff future is now secure.