Match results: In Week 14, the Vikings turned it on in the second half and beat the Falcons 42-21. The only deciding option that doesn't require a tie would be if the Cardinals and Rams each lost. Arizona and Los Angeles will both play in the 4 p.m. slot on Sunday.
Window update at 4pm: The Cardinals lost to the Seahawks 30-18, but the Rams beat the Bills 44-42. That means the Vikings will have to wait at least another week to qualify for the playoffs.
At 10-2, the Minnesota Vikings may be 1.5 games behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North, but they are nearly all the way in the wild-card race and will clinch a playoff berth in Week 14. may be obtained. By the end of Sunday, they might be able to clinch a playoff spot, but they'll need help.
Minnesota plays Sunday's big game at home against the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons, and is a 5.5-point favorite to win the championship. By FanDuel Sportsbook.
Vikings playoff berth decision scenario
The first thing that has to happen is Minnesota wins 11 games. If the Vikings don't win, they won't be able to win in Week 14.
The win not only guarantees their worst record to 11-6, but also secures them a spot ahead of Atlanta in the wild-card standings. Without Atlanta, Minnesota doesn't have to worry about the six-loss Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a championship scenario.
For the Vikings to qualify, two other six-loss teams would have to lose games, guaranteeing a best record of 10-7. They need losses from the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams. Arizona will face the NFC West leader Seattle Seahawks, while the Rams will face the mighty Buffalo Bills.
Here is the complete list of one-sentence fragments:
- The Vikings won, the Cardinals lost, and the Rams lost.
NFC North decision scenario
The Detroit Lions had already won their Week 14 game, so Minnesota wouldn't be tied until Week 15 at the earliest, losing the head-to-head tiebreaker. The earliest the Vikings have a chance to win the division is Week 17, but the Week 18 game between the two teams would likely be their first realistic chance as the season reaches its final stages.
Next week 14 NFC standings thursday night football
1.×-detroit lions (12-1)
2. philadelphia eagles (10-2)
3. seattle seahawks (7-5)
4. atlanta falcons (6-6, 2-0 vs TB)
5. minnesota vikings (10-2)
6. green bay packers (9-3)
7. commander of washington (8-5)
8. tampa bay buccaneers (6-6, 0-2 vs ATL, 6-3 NFC)
9. arizona cardinals (6-6, win over LAR, 3-5 NFC)
10. Los Angeles Rams (6-6, lost to ARI)
11. san francisco 49ers (5-7, victory over DAL)
12. dallas cowboys (5-7, lost to SF)
13. new orleans saints (4-8, 2-3 NFC South, 3-5 NFC)
14. chicago bears (4-8, 2-5 NFC)*
15. carolina panthers (3-9)
16. new york giants (2-10)* excluded
Teams marked with an asterisk have been eliminated from the divisional race.
Teams marked with an “x” qualify for the playoffs
The team with “y” won the division
