EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings remain out of the NFC playoff picture, and have missed chances in back-to-back weeks to make a move.
Minnesota has lost consecutive road games in San Francisco and Detroit, as the Vikings now sit at 5-7 and in the No. 9 spot in the NFC.
"You can always make an excuse if you want, it doesn't matter," said Vikings safety Harrison Smith. "You have to find a way to win."
The Vikings quickly have a chance to get back in the win column, as Minnesota hosts Pittsburgh on Thursday Night Football. Kickoff is at 7:20 p.m. (CT) from U.S. Bank Stadium.
A reminder that there are seven postseason berths in each conference and that only the No. 1 seed gets a first-round bye, a format the league adopted in 2020.
Here's the look at the NFC playoff picture — with standings, current playoff odds, and a status update — as we head into Week 14.
1. Arizona Cardinals (10-2)
Next 3 weeks
12/13 LAR (8-4)
12/19 @DET (1-10-1)
12/25 IND (7-6)
Remaining foes' combined records: 28-32-1
Opponents' win percentage: .467
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 99-plus percent
Status: The Cardinals looked in fine form in their return from the bye week with a 33-22 road win over the Bears. Quarterback Kyler Murray returned from an ankle injury and accounted for four total scores. Arizona remains the conference's top seed and is in line for the sole first-round bye with five games left.
Look back at photos over the course of time featuring games between the Vikings and the Steelers.




































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2017
2. Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 CHI (4-8)
12/12 @BAL (8-4)
12/19 CLE (6-6)
Remaining foes' combined records: 24-35-1
Opponents' win percentage: .408
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 99-plus percent
Status: Green Bay took a step closer to another NFC North title during its bye week. A Vikings loss means the Packers have a four-game lead, even with Minnesota holding the lone head-to-head win thus far. Green Bay will look for its sixth straight win over Chicago this weekend.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 BUF (7-5)
12/19 NO (5-7)
12/26 @CAR (5-7)
Remaining foes' combined records: 25-35
Opponents' win percentage: .417
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 99-plus percent
Status: The Buccaneers picked up their third straight win Sunday, and are now rolling toward an NFC South title. Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes in a Week 13 win over the Falcons, the sixth game this season he's thrown at least four scores in a game. The reigning Super Bowl champions look primed for another deep run in January/February.
View photos of wide receivers Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn showcasing the team's Primetime Purple uniforms.







































4. Dallas Cowboys (8-4)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 @WASH (6-6)
12/19 @NYG (4-8)
12/26 WASH (6-6)
Remaining foes' combined records: 31-29
Opponents' win percentage: .517
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 97 percent
Status: Dallas snapped a two-game skid with a 27-17 win on Thursday night over New Orleans. The Cowboys have a two-game lead in the NFC East and face an important stretch of division games on the horizon. The Vikings need to figure out ways to win games on their own, but Minnesota will certainly he rooting for Dallas over Washington in the coming weeks.
View photos of Vikings players' custom cleats in honor of the NFL's 2021 My Cause My Cleats initiative that allows players to express their commitment to causes that are important to them.

CB Mackensie Alexander
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

FB Jake Bargas
Best Foot Forward Foundation

LB Anthony Barr
Raise the Barr Foundation

LB Tuf Borland
Best Buddies

C Garrett Bradbury
M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital

CB Bashaud Breeland
People Serving People

S Camryn Bynum
Save the Music

G Ezra Cleveland
Pat Tillman Foundation

OL Mason Cole
TUFF

TE Tyler Conklin
Dementia Society of America

LB Ryan Connelly
Breath of Hope Foundation

RB Dalvin Cook
Minnesota Vikings Foundation

QB Kirk Cousins
Boys and Girls Club

CB Cameron Dantzler
A Precious Child

T Christian Darrisaw
Ronald McDonald House

TE Zach Davidson
Big Brothers Big Sister

LS Andrew DePaola
Bo's Effort & Peter J. Golueke Foundation

TE Brandon Dillon
American Diabetes Association

G Dakota Dozier
March of Dimes

LB Troy Dye
The Leela Project

TE Ben Ellefson
Gigi's Playhouse

DE Everson Griffen
American Heart Association

FB C.J. Ham
PANCAN

CB Harrison Hand
Hands on Foundation

T Rashod Hill
The Codie Hill Foundation

G Kyle Hinton
NAMI

DE Danielle Hunter
Boys and Girls Club

WR Trishton Jackson
NAMI

WR Justin Jefferson
NAZ

DE Patrick Jones II
NAMI

LB Eric Kendricks
Golden Charter Academy

LB Blake Lynch
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

DT James Lynch
Pat Tillman Foundation

QB Sean Mannion
Team Gleason Foundation

RB Alexander Mattison
I Am Gifted

S Josh Metellus
Postpartum Support International

WR Myron Mitchell
Special Olympics

QB Kellen Mond
Boys and Girls Club

CB Parry Nickerson
NAMI

RB Kene Nwangwu
Autistic Self Advocacy Network

T Brian O'Neill
Autism Speaks

WR K.J. Osborn
Boys and Girls Club

DT Michael Pierce
Impact 22

DT Sheldon Richardson
Minnesota Vikings Foundation

RB A.J. Rose Jr.
Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation

S Harrison Smith
Big Brothers Big Sisters

WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Coalition for the Homeless

LB Chazz Surratt
Avenues for Youth

WR Adam Thielen
Thielen Foundation

DT Dalvin Tomlinson
American Cancer Society & Kate's Club

DT Armon Watts
The Armon Watts Foundation

WR Dede Westbrook
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

DE Kenny Willekes
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

DE D.J. Wonnum
Secondhand Hounds
5. Los Angeles Rams (8-4)
Next 3 weeks
12/13 @AZ (10-2)
12/19 SEA (4-8)
12/26 @MIN (5-7)
Remaining foes' combined records: 33-27
Opponents' win percentage: .550
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 90 percent
Status: The Rams got back on track with a blowout win over the lowly Jaguars on Sunday to end a three-game losing streak. If Los Angeles wants any chance at an NFC West title, it must beat Arizona on the road Sunday. If not, the Rams will look to cement themselves in the first Wild Card spot down the stretch, which includes a game against the Vikings.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of Jan. 5, 2022.

1 K Greg Joseph

1 K Greg Joseph

3 P Jordan Berry

16 P Jordan Berry

7 CB Patrick Peterson

7 CB Patrick Peterson

8 QB Kirk Cousins

8 QB Kirk Cousins

11 QB Kellen Mond

11 QB Kellen Mond

12 WR Dede Westbrook

12 WR Dede Westbrook

14 QB Sean Mannion

14 QB Sean Mannion

15 WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

15 WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

17 WR K.J. Osborn

17 WR K.J. Osborn

18 WR Justin Jefferson

18 WR Justin Jefferson

20 CB Harrison Hand

20 CB Harrison Hand

22 S Harrison Smith

22 S Harrison Smith

23 S Xavier Woods

23 S Xavier Woods

24 CB Mackensie Alexander

24 CB Mackensie Alexander

2 RB Alexander Mattison

2 RB Alexander Mattison

26 RB Kene Nwangwu

26 RB Kene Nwangwu

3 CB Cameron Dantzler

27 CB Cameron Dantzler

29 CB Kris Boyd

29 CB Kris Boyd

30 FB C.J. Ham

30 FB C.J. Ham

31 RB Wayne Gallman

31 RB Wayne Gallman

4 RB Dalvin Cook

33 RB Dalvin Cook

35 TE Luke Stocker

35 TE Luke Stocker

41 LB Chazz Surratt

41 LB Chazz Surratt

42 LS Andrew DePaola

42 LS Andrew DePaola

44 S Josh Metellus

44 S Josh Metellus

45 LB Troy Dye

45 LB Troy Dye

48 LB Blake Lynch

48 LB Blake Lynch

52 G Wyatt Davis

52 G Wyatt Davis

55 LB Anthony Barr

55 LB Anthony Barr

56 C Garrett Bradbury

56 C Garett Bradbury

58 DT Michael Pierce

58 DT Michael Pierce

59 LB Nick Vigil

59 LB Nick Vigil

64 T Blake Brandel

64 T Blake Brandel

69 T Rashod Hill

69 T Rashod Hill

74 G Olisaemeka Udoh

74 G Olisaemeka Udoh

75 T Brian O'Neill

75 T Brian O'Neill

78 G Dakota Dozier

78 G Dakota Dozier

83 TE Tyler Conklin

83 TE Tyler Conklin

85 WR Dan Chisena

85 WR Dan Chisena

90 DT Sheldon Richardson

90 DT Sheldon Richardson

92 DT James Lynch

92 DT James Lynch

91 OLB Patrick Jones II

91 DE Patrick Jones II

94 DT Dalvin Tomlinson

94 DT Dalvin Tomlinson

96 DT Armon Watts

96 DT Armon Watts

98 DE D.J. Wonnum

98 DE D.J. Wonnum
6. Washington Football Team (6-6)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 DAL (8-4)
12/19 @PHI (6-7)
12/26 @DAL (8-4)
Remaining foes' combined records: 32-30
Opponents' win percentage: .516
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 51 percent
Status: Washington is on fire, having won four straight games to move into the NFC's second Wild Card spot. Ron Rivera's team certainly has a chance to continue to prove the doubters wrong, as Washington's final five games are all against NFC East foes. Washington could be one of the league's most interesting teams to follow in the final month of the 2021 season.
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-6)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 @CIN (7-5)
12/19 ATL (5-7)
12/23 @TEN (8-4)
Remaining foes' combined records: 30-30
Opponents' win percentage: .500
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 63 percent
Status: The 49ers playoff hopes took a small hit as they saw their three-game win streak halted in Week 13. San Francisco has just two NFC contests remaining, but the 49ers hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Vikings, something to keep in mind with five games left.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 Bye Week
12/19 WASH (6-6)
12/26 NYG (4-8)
Remaining foes' combined records: 24-24
Opponents' win percentage: .500
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 38 percent
Status: The Eagles were among the conference's big winners in Week 13, jumping up three spots in the standings. Philadelphia will now become the final NFC team to have its bye week. The Eagles have just four games left, all of them against division rivals. From a Minnesota perspective, the hope is that Philadelphia and Washington split its contests so that teams stay near the jumbled pack.
9. Minnesota Vikings (5-7)
Next 3 weeks
12/09 PIT (6-5-1)
12/20 @CHI (4-8)
12/26 LAR (8-4)
Remaining foes' combined records: 31-28-1
Opponents' win percentage: .525
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 28 percent
Status: The Vikings saw their playoff odds gets slashed in half after a 29-27 loss to the Lions on the final play of the game. Minnesota has now had all but one of its 12 contests be decided by one score. The Vikings need to get back on track soon to try and keep pace in the crowded NFC Wild Card race. With five games left, the Vikings might need to win at least four to give themselves a chance to get in the dance.
10. Carolina Panthers (5-7)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 ATL (5-7)
12/19 @BUF (7-5)
12/26 TB (9-3)
Remaining foes' combined records: 35-25
Opponents' win percentage: .583
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 7 percent
Status: Carolina saw its playoff odds get bumped up to 7 percent over its bye week. But the Panthers had an odd weekend as they fired Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady. Carolina's push for a playoff spot won't be easy, as the Panthers still have a pair of games left against the Buccaneers.
11. Atlanta Falcons (5-7)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 @CAR (5-7)
12/19 @SF (6-6)
12/27 DET (1-10-1)
Remaining foes' combined records: 24-35-1
Opponents' win percentage: .408
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 5 percent
Status: The Falcons have lost three of four but are among four 5-7 teams still only one game out of a playoff spot in the mediocre bottom half of the NFC. Atlanta hung with Tampa Bay through two quarters Sunday but was promptly shut out in the second half.
12. New Orleans Saints (5-7)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 @NYJ (3-9)
12/19 @TB (8-4)
12/27 MIA (6-7)
Remaining foes' combined records: 28-33
Opponents' win percentage: .459
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 14 percent
Status: The losing streak has reached five game for New Orleans, which is the Saints longest skid since the 2005 season. The Saints tried to spark their offense by starting Taysom Hill at quarterback, but he tossed four interceptions and also hurt his finger. One positive for New Orleans is that it plays just one team with a current winning record the rest of the way.
13. New York Giants (4-8)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 @LAC (7-5)
12/19 DAL (8-4)
12/26 @PHI (6-7)
Remaining foes' combined records: 31-30
Opponents' win percentage: .508
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 4 percent
Status: The Giants have alternated losses and wins in their past seven games, going 3-4 since Week 6. By that metric, New York could get a win Sunday and keep its pattern going. The Giants offense has sputtered in the past three games, scoring just 31 total points. New York ranks 28th overall with just 17.6 points scored per game.
14. Chicago Bears (4-8)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 @GB (9-3)
12/20 MIN (5-7)
12/26 @SEA (4-8)
Remaining foes' combined records: 27-33
Opponents' win percentage: .450
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 0.9 percent
Status: The Bears couldn't rally from an early 14-0 hole in Sunday's loss to the top-seeded Cardinals. Chicago now goes on the road to face Green Bay at Lambeau Field, a venue where the Bears haven't won since 2015. Chicago has allowed 40 sacks this season, the second-highest total in the league.
15. Seattle Seahawks (4-8)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 @HOU (2-10)
12/19 @LAR (8-4)
12/26 CHI (4-8)
Remaining foes' combined records: 25-34-1
Opponents' win percentage: .425
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 4 percent
Status: Seattle ended a three-game losing streak in a big way with an NFC West win over San Francisco. That win gave Seattle the season sweep over its division rival. The Seahawks are still a longshot to make the playoffs, as they still have to play the Rams and Cardinals on the road.
16. Detroit Lions (1-10-1)
Next 3 weeks
12/12 @DEN (6-6)
12/19 AZ (10-2)
12/26 @ATL (5-7)
Remaining foes' combined records: 34-26
Opponents' win percentage: .567
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Less than 1 percent
Status: The Lions have their first win of the 2021 season, and it came at the Vikings expense. Detroit led 20-6 at halftime and gave away the lead, but rallied on a final drive for the game-winning score at the buzzer. The Lions, who snapped a 15-game winless streak, secured their first win in 364 days.