Packers in control of NFC North race

The Packers are in the driver’s seat for the NFC North title after the Vikings’ 23-20 loss Thursday at Arizona, but likely still will need to beat Minnesota in their season finale at Lambeau Field.

With a victory Sunday over the Cowboys at Lambeau Field, the first-place Packers (8-4) would own a one-game lead over the Vikings (8-5). Green Bay also has a leg up on Minnesota for the division tiebreaker thanks to their 30-13 win in the first matchup between the teams this season.

As a result, the Packers – who travel to Oakland and Arizona after hosting Dallas – could lose two of their next three games and still win the division by sweeping the Vikings, who host the Bears and Giants in their next two games.

On the other hand, even if the Packers win their next three games or otherwise still lead the Vikings by only a game entering the season finale, Minnesota would own the tiebreaker and earn the division crown with a victory at Green Bay. The two teams would have split their head-to-head meetings, and Minnesota would prevail on the strength of a better record within the division (the Packers would be 3-3, the Vikings no worse than 4-2).