The Minnesota Vikings remain in the playoff hunt following a decisive victory over the Washington Commanders, albeit with a challenging path ahead. With a current record of 5-8, their chances of advancing to the postseason stand at less than 1%. Despite this grim outlook, a series of favorable outcomes could still allow the Vikings to secure a playoff berth.
To keep their postseason hopes alive, the Vikings must first win all remaining games, reaching a final record of 9-8. They will also require other teams, specifically the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, to finish with the same record. In such a scenario, the Vikings would win a potential tiebreaker, thus claiming the final playoff spot against significant odds.
What Needs to Happen for the Vikings
As the Vikings gear up for crucial weeks ahead, a specific sequence of events must unfold.
In Week 15, prior to the Vikings’ matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, they will need the Cleveland Browns to defeat the Bears and the Los Angeles Rams to overcome the Lions. A victory from the New Orleans Saints against the Carolina Panthers would also be beneficial. Most critically, the Vikings must beat the Cowboys. A win in this primetime game could elevate their playoff chances to approximately 4%.
Looking to Week 16, if the Vikings manage to secure a win against the Cowboys, they will then require the Green Bay Packers to defeat the Bears, the Los Angeles Chargers to overcome the Cowboys, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers along with the Pittsburgh Steelers to win against the Lions. If the Vikings continue their winning streak by defeating the New York Giants, their playoff probability would rise to 28%.
Christmas Day Scenarios and Beyond
Should the Vikings remain in contention by Week 17, excitement will build as they approach Christmas Day. In this pivotal week, they will require the Washington Commanders to defeat the Cowboys, the Seattle Seahawks to win against the Panthers, and the San Francisco 49ers to beat the Bears. If the Vikings also emerge victorious against the Lions, their playoff chances would improve significantly to 48%.
In the final week of the regular season, the stakes will be at their highest. If the Vikings have successfully navigated previous weeks, they will only need to defeat the Packers and hope for a Lions victory over the Bears. Achieving this would secure the Vikings a spot in the playoffs with a 100% probability.
These upcoming weeks will undoubtedly test the resilience of the Vikings, as they strive to keep their playoff aspirations alive. Fans will be watching closely, hoping for a remarkable turnaround that could see their team defy the odds and compete in the postseason.
