NFC Playoff Picture: Vikings Among 5 NFC Teams at 6-7

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings are still on the outside of the NFC playoff picture and are among five teams jumbled together at 6-7. But Minnesota also moved up to the No. 8 spot after Week 14 was said and done. Now it’s time for a four-game sprint that should feature plenty of drama and intrigue. “Everything is right there in front of us,” said Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson. “We just have to go out and win the games that are on our schedule.” The Vikings are back in action on M\onday Night Football\ against the Bears. Kickoff is at 7:15 p.m. (CT) from Soldier Field in Chicago. 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 15. 1. Green Bay Packers (10-3) Next 3 weeks 12/19 @BAL (8-5) 12/25 CLE (7-6) 01/02 MIN (6-7) Remaining foes’ combined records: 23-28-1 Opponents’ win percentage: .452 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 99-plus percent Status: There is a change at the top, as the Packers are now the NFC’s No. 1 seed after Green Bay won and Arizona lost in Week 14. The Packers, who moved into the top spot by virtue of their head-to-head win over the Cardinals, can clinch the NFC North with a win Sunday in Baltimore.2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3) Next 3 weeks 12/19 NO (6-7) 12/26 @CAR (6-7) 01/02 @NYJ (3-10) Remaining foes’ combined records: 19-33 Opponents’ win percentage: .365 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 99-plus percent Status: The Buccaneers survived a late Bills rally to win in overtime and also moved up a spot in the NFC standings. As it stands now, Tampa Bay would host the third and final NFC Wild Card team … which could end up being Minnesota.3. Arizona Cardinals (10-3) Next 3 weeks 12/19 @DET (1-11-1) 12/25 IND (7-6) 01/02 @DAL (9-4) Remaining foes’ combined records: 22-29-1 Opponents’ win percentage: .433 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 99-plus percent Status: The Cardinals had a letdown on Monday night, and it cost them in a big way. Arizona is no longer the conference’s top seed and will need some help down the stretch if it wants to reclaim that spot. After starting 7-0, the Cardinals have split their past six games.4. Dallas Cowboys (9-4) Next 3 weeks 12/19 @NYG (4-9) 12/26 WASH (6-7) 01/02 AZ (10-3) Remaining foes’ combined records: 26-26 Opponents’ win percentage: .500 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 99-plus percent Status: The Cowboys have won two straight to get back on track following a two-game skid. Dallas’ defense led the way in Sunday’s win over Washington, allowing just 224 total yards of offense. Rookie Micah Parsons now has a dozen sacks and is making his case for the NFL Defensive Rooke of the Year Award.5. Los Angeles Rams (9-4) Next 3 weeks 12/19 SEA (5-8) 12/26 @MIN (6-7) 01/02 @BAL (8-5) Remaining foes’ combined records: 26-26 Opponents’ win percentage: .500 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 97 percent Status: The Rams were going to remain in the fifth seed no matter what happened Monday night. But Los Angeles delivered a statement win — doing so without some big names — and let the league know it is a team to be worried about when the playoffs come around.6. San Francisco 49ers (7-6) Next 3 weeks 12/19 ATL (6-7) 12/23 @TEN (9-4) 01/02 HOU (2-11) Remaining foes’ combined records: 26-26 Opponents’ win percentage: .500 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 75 percent Status: The 49ers jumped back into the sixth seed after spending a week in the No. 7 spot. San Francisco won an overtime thriller against Cincinnati and has a one-game lead on the cluster of 6-7 teams in the NFC. The 49ers also have head-to-head wins over two of those teams — the Vikings and Eagles.7. Washington Football Team (6-7) Next 3 weeks 12/19 @PHI (6-7) 12/26 @DAL (9-4) 01/02 PHI (6-7) Remaining foes’ combined records: 25-27 Opponents’ win percentage: .481 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 27 percent Status: Washington’s four-game win streak ended with a dud, as it trailed 24-0 at halftime against Dallas. Washington tried to rally late, but it still ended up with a tough loss. Now comes the first of two meetings (in three weeks) with Philadelphia. The Vikings will be rooting for a split of that season series.8. Minnesota Vikings (6-7) Next 3 weeks 12/20 @CHI (4-9) 12/26 LAR (9-4) 01/02 @GB (10-3) Remaining foes’ combined records: 27-25 Opponents’ win percentage: .519 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 29 percent Status: The Vikings are hoping that a mini bye helps them rest up and get ready for a final four-game stretch. No team has been involved in as many chaotic games as Minnesota this season, with all but one contest being decided by one score. The Vikings head to Soldier Field in Week 15 for a prime-time matchup against the Bears. Minnesota has split its past six games in Chicago, but lost seven in a row there from 2008-2014.9. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7) Next 3 weeks 12/19 WASH (6-7) 12/26 NYG (4-9) 01/02 @WASH (6-7) Remaining foes’ combined records: 25-27 Opponents’ win percentage: .481 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 37 percent Status: The Eagles had their bye week and dropped down a spot in the standings. But Philadelphia has a chance to fly into the NFC playoff picture if it can beat Washington and see the other 6-7 teams lose in Week 15. All eyes will be on the Eagles to see who they start at quarterback — Jalen Hurts or Gardner Minshew? — if the former is healthy.10. Atlanta Falcons (6-7) Next 3 weeks 12/19 @SF (7-6) 12/27 DET (1-11-1) 01/02 @BUF (7-6) Remaining foes’ combined records: 21-30-1 Opponents’ win percentage: .413 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 12 percent Status: The Falcons have managed to hang around and can make a run after getting a key win over the Panthers on Sunday. A Week 15 matchup with the 49ers will be among the most crucial NFC games of the weekend slate. 11. New Orleans Saints (6-7) Next 3 weeks 12/19 @TB (9-4) 12/27 MIA (6-7) 01/02 CAR (5-8) Remaining foes’ combined records: 27-25 Opponents’ win percentage: .519 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 19 percent Status: The Saints snapped a five-game skid Sunday to remain in the hunt for an NFC Wild Card spot. New Orleans will now face a massive test on the road at Tampa Bay, which will be looking to clinch the NFC South title with a victory. It’s safe to say the Vikings will be big Buccaneers fans this weekend. 12. Carolina Panthers (5-8) Next 3 weeks 12/19 @BUF (7-6) 12/26 TB (10-3) 01/02 @NO (6-7) Remaining foes’ combined records: 33-19 Opponents’ win percentage: .636 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 0.3 percent Status: Carolina’s struggles continued as the Panthers lost their third straight game to fall back again in the playoff chase. Carolina will need to bounce back soon, but that won’t be easy, given its tough schedule down the stretch. The Panthers are 2-8 following a 3-0 start. 13. Seattle Seahawks (5-8) Next 3 weeks_ 12/19 @LAR (9-4) 12/26 CHI (4-9) 01/02 DET (1-11-1) Remaining foes’ combined records: 24-27-1 Opponents’ win percentage: .471 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 3 percent Status: The Seahawks still have to play the Bears and Lions at home, but the franchise’s future could be defined by how they fare in road games against the Rams and Cardinals. Seattle likely needs to run the table and get some help around the NFC. 14 New York Giants (4-9) Next 3 weeks_ 12/19 DAL (9-4) 12/26 @PHI (6-7) 01/02 @CHI (4-9) Remaining foes’ combined records: 25-27 Opponents’ win percentage: .481 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 1 percent Status: Do you have any blue in your wardrobe? Vikings fans will be Giants fans in the final month, especially in Weeks 16 and 18 when New York plays Philadelphia and Washington. New York has lost three of four games and looks like it will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season. 15. Chicago Bears (4-9) Next 3 weeks_ 12/20 MIN (6-7) 12/26 @SEA (5-8) 01/02 NYG (4-9) Remaining foes’ combined records: 21-31 Opponents’ win percentage: .404 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 0.3 percent Status: The Bears surged out to a lead over the Packers on Sunday night behind strong special teams play, but Chicago couldn’t keep pace in the second half at Lambeau Field. Now with its playoff hopes all but gone. Chicago will look to play spoiler against Minnesota beginning Monday night. 16. Detroit Lions (1-11-1) Next 3 weeks_ 12/19 AZ (10-3) 12/26 @ATL (6-7) 01/02 @ SEA (5-8) Remaining foes’ combined records: 31-21 Opponents’ win percentage: .596 Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Eliminated from playoff contention_ Status: The Lions followed up their first win by getting blown out by the Broncos. Detroit became the first NFC team eliminated from playoff contention. The Lions last playoff appearance was in 2016.

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