What the Saints need to happen in Week 17 for a first-round bye

The New Orleans Saints need a three-way tie at the top of the conference to have any hope of the NFC’s top seed. It’s possible but unlikely.

Yes, we’re telling you that the New Orleans Saints have a chance to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC. While they had destiny in their hands, the team’s two-game losing streak to the Eagles and Chiefs ruined that hope.

Now, they’ll be fighting for luck to be on their side.

It can’t just be that the Packers lose and the Saints win. If that’s all that happens, there’s a chance they would be tied at the top of the conference, and the Packers would have the head-to-head tiebreaker.

However, there’s is a way, and it’s not that unlikely. The Packers have to lose to the Bears. They’ll then drop to 12-4.

The Saints have to beat the Panthers; they will also then improve to 12-4 and be tied with Green Bay.

The third thing that must happen is the Seattle Seahawks must win, improving their record to 12-4 and solidifying a three-way tie at the top of the NFC.

The Seahawks will play the San Francisco 49ers. A sturdy defense that helped tame the dynamic Kyler Murray-led Cardinals on Saturday, Seattle will have their hands full putting points on the board.

That said, it certainly is a possibility that the Seahawks win and the Bears lose.

After all, the Bears downed the Jaguars (yes, I realize they have just one win) yesterday. They put up 41 points and have a steaming hot offense. They’ve scored 30 or more points in four straight games and against defenses like Minnesota and Detroit.

The Saints should be craving that No. 1 seed after what happened last year. Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight gives the Saints a 26 percent chance at the top seed. While that’s not awful, it would’ve been nice to not have to leave such an important situation out of their control.