Of course Aaron Rodgers still has the Packers in the playoff hunt, plus Tom Brady is in the postseason again

The Football Five 🏈

• The Giants clinched a playoff berth with a 38-10 thumping of the Colts at home. Daniel Jones threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more to put New York in the postseason for the first time since 2016.
• Up next for the Giants are the Eagles, who fell, 20-10, to the Saints. With Jalen Hurts still out, Gardner Minshew struggled, and Philadelphia still has work to do to get the NFC No. 1 seed.
• The Lions bounced back from a bad loss at Carolina with a 41-10 domination of the Bears. Detroit needs help to make the playoffs, but, hey, a chance is a chance.
• Also in the “need-help-but-has-a-chance” category: the Seahawks, who dispatched the Jets, 23-6.
• For the second straight week, Kenny Pickett threw a late touchdown pass — this time to Najee Harris — and the Steelers beat the Ravens, 16-13 for its fifth win in six games. The Steelers must beat the Browns and get losses by the Dolphins (to the Jets) and the Patriots (to the Bills) to make the playoffs. Here are all of the scenarios for Week 18.

Good morning to everyone but especially to…

THE GREEN BAY PACKERS…

Don’t look now, but here come Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Green Bay dominated in all three phases in a 41-17 rout of the Vikings and now gets a win-and-you’re-in game against the Lions in Week 18.

Here’s the stat that stands out above all others, though: Under Matt LaFleur (since 2019), the Packers are 18-1 in December/January regular-season games. That’s absurd. They’re hitting their stride at the right time. It’s good to be a good team entering the playoffs. It’s better to be a hot team entering the playoffs. If the Packers beat the Lions, they’ll be just that.

… AND ALSO A GOOD MORNING TO THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Oh, here come Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, too. Tampa Bay surged to the NFC South crown with a 30-24 win over the Panthers thanks to the magical right arm of its GOAT quarterback.

• Brady threw for 432 yards and three touchdowns, including 207 yards and all three touchdowns to Mike Evans.
• This is Brady’s 14th consecutive playoff trip and 19th career division title. Here are other milestones he reached.
• The Buccaneers scored a season-high 20 fourth-quarter points.

Listen, this Buccaneers team isn’t great. It took advantage of an awful NFC South. The offense and defense have taken major steps back compared to 2020 and 2021, but (clearly) Brady can still put on a show when needed most. He’s…