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.
Look back at photos over the course of time featuring games between the Vikings and the Bears.
An image from the Dec. 31, 2017 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings won 23-10.
An image from the Dec. 31, 2017 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings won 23-10.
An image from the Dec. 31, 2017 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings won 23-10.
An image from the Dec. 31, 2017 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings won 23-10.
An image from the Dec. 31, 2017 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings won 23-10.
An image from the Dec. 31, 2017 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings won 23-10.
An image from the Dec. 31, 2017 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings won 23-10.
An image from the Dec. 31, 2017 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings won 23-10.
An image from the Dec. 31, 2017 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings won 23-10.
An image from the Dec. 31, 2017 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings won 23-10.
An image from the Dec. 31, 2017 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings won 23-10.
An image from November 18, 2018 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 25-20.
An image from November 18, 2018 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 25-20.
An image from November 18, 2018 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 25-20.
An image from November 18, 2018 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 25-20.
An image from November 18, 2018 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 25-20.
An image from November 18, 2018 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 25-20.
An image from November 18, 2018 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 25-20.
An image from November 18, 2018 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 25-20.
An image from November 18, 2018 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 25-20.
An image from November 18, 2018 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 25-20.
An image from December 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 10-24.
An image from December 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 10-24.
An image from December 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 10-24.
An image from December 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 10-24.
An image from December 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 10-24.
An image from December 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 10-24.
An image from December 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 10-24.
An image from December 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 10-24.
An image from December 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 10-24.
An image from December 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 10-24.
An image from December 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 10-24.
An image from December 30, 2018 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 10-24.
An image from September 29, 2019 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 6-16.
An image from September 29, 2019 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 6-16.
An image from September 29, 2019 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 6-16.
An image from September 29, 2019 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 6-16.
An image from September 29, 2019 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 6-16.
An image from September 29, 2019 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 6-16.
An image from September 29, 2019 regular season away game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 6-16.
2020 - Monday Night Football
2020 - Monday Night Football
2020 - Monday Night Football
An image from December 20, 2020 regular season home game against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings loss 27-33.
2020 - Monday Night Football
2020 - Monday Night Football
2020 - Monday Night Football
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2021 - Monday Night Football
2021 - Monday Night Football
2021 - Monday Night Football
2021 - Monday Night Football
2021 - Monday Night Football
2021 - Monday Night Football
2021 - Monday Night Football
2021 - Monday Night Football
2021 - Monday Night Football
2021 - Monday Night Football
2021 - Monday Night Football
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.
View the best photos from the Vikings game against the Steelers in Week 14 on Thursday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium, shot by Vikings seasonal photographers, Harrison Barden and Alli Rusco.
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.
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
3 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
