At 11-2, the Minnesota Vikings are just one game (tiebreaker) behind the Detroit Lions for first place in the NFC North and first place overall in the NFC, but a win and help this weekend will close the gap. I can do that.
But first things first. The Vikings can qualify for the playoffs in Week 15.
The Vikings had a chance to clinch a playoff spot in Week 14, but they didn't get all the help they needed. This weekend, their magic number drops to one and they take control of their fate for a playoff spot.
Vikings playoff berth decision scenario
If the Vikings win their 12th game, they will earn a spot in the NFC, where the remaining teams in the playoffs are only 11-6 at best.
Minnesota could also return with some help in the NFC West before the Vikings play on Monday. If the Rams lose on Thursday night, their best record would be 10-7, behind the Vikings. If the Seahawks lose on Sunday, the best they can finish the year with is 11-6, which isn't what I'd call a “clinch,” but Seattle will play the Rams in Week 18, so one of them loses. One or the other will win. That means one team will win the NFC West and the other team will lose to the Vikings.
So there are three ways the Vikings can win three different nationally televised primetime games this weekend.
- Vikings win (Monday night)
– or –
- Rams lose (Thursday night)
– or –
- Seahawks lost (Sunday night)
The Rams are a 3-point underdog on Thursday, the Seahawks are a 2.5-point underdog on Sunday at home, but the Vikings are touchdown candidates on Monday. According to our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook.
NFC standings entering Week 15
1.×-detroit lions (12-1)
2.×-philadelphia eagles (11-2)
3. seattle seahawks (8-5)
4. tampa bay buccaneers (7-6)
5. minnesota vikings (11-2)
6. green bay packers (9-4)
7. commander of washington (8-5)
8. Los Angeles Rams (7-6)
9. atlanta falcons (6-7, 6-3NFC)
10. arizona cardinals (6-7, win over SF, 3-6 NFC)
11. san francisco 49ers (6-7, lost to ARI)
12. new orleans saints (5-8, victory over DAL)
13. dallas cowboys (5-8, NO loss)*
14. chicago bears (4-8, 2-5 NFC)*
15. carolina panthers (3-10)
16. new york giants (2-11) — Eliminated
