EAGAN, Minn. — What a difference a week makes.
Last week, Minnesota controlled its own playoff destiny. Yet after Sunday's loss to the Rams and other Week 16 results, the Vikings are now 7-8 and need to win out plus get some help if they want to make the playoffs.
According to analytics website FiveThirtyEight.com, the Vikings postseason chances now sit at just 13 percent.
Minnesota will face a must-win scenario Sunday night at Lambeau Field if Philadelphia wins at Washington earlier in the day. Any combination of an Eagles win and Vikings loss over the next two weeks will eliminate Minnesota.
"We've still got to win the last two games," said Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr said Sunday. "We can't really worry about scenarios and all that.
"If we lose, we're out, so we've got to go out and win these last two and let the chips fall where they may," Barr added.
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 17.
1. Green Bay Packers (12-3)
Final 2 games
01/02 MIN (7-8)
01/09 @DET (2-12-1)
Remaining foes' combined records: 9-20-1
Opponents' win percentage: .317
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Clinched NFC North title
Status: The Packers have a step ahead in the march toward a potential No. 1 seed. Aaron Rodgers set Green Bay's franchise record for touchdown passes in Week 16 to surpass Brett Favre's 442, and also once again finds himself in the MVP discussion. With Border Battle No. 123 on tap, you know the Packers would relish the chance to eliminate the Vikings from playoff contention.
Look back at photos through the years featuring games between the Vikings and Packers.



























































































































































































































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Sept. 11, 2022

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2. Dallas Cowboys (11-4)
Final 2 games
01/02 AZ (10-5)
01/09 @PHI (8-7)
Remaining foes' combined records: 18-12
Opponents' win percentage: .600
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Clinched NFC East title
Status: The Cowboys have won four straight games and made quite the statement Sunday night. Dallas dominated Washington in all three phases, putting up a 2021 league-high 56 points in a prime-time thrashing. The Cowboys are trying to claim the top seed, but they also look like a dangerous team as the playoffs near.
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-4)
Final 2 games
01/02 @BAL (8-7)
01/09 SF (8-7)
Remaining foes' combined records: 16-14
Opponents' win percentage: .533
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Clinched playoff spot
Status: The Rams weren't at their best Sunday and were still able to win in more ways than one. Not only did Los Angeles clinch a playoff berth, but the Rams also moved ahead of the Cardinals for first place in the NFC West. The Rams can clinch the division Sunday with a win coupled with a Cardinals loss.
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
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-4)
Final 2 games
01/02 @NYJ (4-11)
01/09 CAR (5-10)
Remaining foes' combined records: 9-21
Opponents' win percentage: .300
Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Clinched NFC South title
Status: The Buccaneers clinched their first division title since 2007 on Sunday. The defending champs will again be a team to keep an eye on when the playoffs begin. Tampa Bay was without numerous key players in a win over Carolina, but the Bucs had depth players step up when needed. Tom Brady is in line to participate in the playoffs for the 19th time in his career (22 seasons).