Week 15 NFC Playoff Picture and Vikings Postseason Scenarios

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Dec 13, 2017
Image courtesy of Vikings.com

The Minnesota Vikings are in good position to make a deep run in the playoffs.

The Vikings suffered an uneasy 24-31 loss to Carolina over the weekend. The defeat may have caused a slight lull in momentum, but a return home after a three-game road trip to face the NFL’s worst offense should put wind back in the team’s sail.

With the playoffs on the horizon, the Vikings currently hold the No. 2 seed in the NFC. If the season ended today Minnesota would have a first-round bye in the playoffs. However, with three weeks remaining in the regular season, a lot can change.

The Philadelphia Eagles are the current No. 1 seed in the conference. Philadelphia won a close game over the Los Angeles Rams over the weekend. In doing so, the Eagles became the first NFC team to clinch a playoff berth. With a one-game lead over Minnesota, it would appear Philly is in the captain’s seat to clinch the No. 1 seed. However, they lost their star quarterback for the season in the win over the Rams.

With the Eagles adjusting to life after Carson Wentz and the Vikings facing a favorable schedule to end the season — hold onto your seats folks.

The Vikings have not officially made the playoffs, but that can change in Week 15. The Vikings can punch their ticket to the postseason in a variety of ways.

In order for the Vikings to reach the postseason by clinching the NFC North division (and guaranteeing a 1-4 seed as a division winner), one of these two scenarios must occur:

  1. MINNESOTA win or tie OR
  2. DETROIT loss or tie PLUS GREEN BAY loss or tie

In order for the Vikings to reach the playoffs based on record, one of the following scenarios must occur:

  1. SEATTLE loss + ATLANTA loss + NEW ORLEANS loss OR
  2. SEATTLE loss + ATLANTA loss + CAROLINA loss OR
  3. SEATTLE loss + ATLANTA loss + DETROIT loss or tie OR
  4. SEATTLE loss + ATLANTA tie + NEW ORLEANS loss + DETROIT loss or tie OR
  5. SEATTLE loss + ATLANTA tie + NEW ORLEANS loss + CAROLINA loss

Here’s how the playoff picture look today in the NFC. Remember, the top six seeds make the playoffs. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds each receive a first-round bye.

Division Leaders

#1 seed: Philadelphia Eagles (11-2)

#2 seed: Minnesota Vikings (10-3)

#3 seed: Los Angeles Rams (9-4)

#4 seed: New Orleans Saints (9-4)

Wild Card

#5 seed: Carolina Panthers (9-4)

#6 seed: Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

In the hunt

#7 seed: Seattle Seahawks (8-5)

#8 seed: Detroit Lions (7-6)

#9 seed: Green Bay Packers (7-6)

#10 seed: Dallas Cowboys (7-6)

#11 seed: Arizona Cardinals (6-7)

National Football Conference Standings

Here’s a look at how the entire conference stacks up, courtesy of NFL.com.

  • [*] Clinched Homefield Advantage in Playoffs
  • [y] Clinched Division Title
  • [z] Clinched First-Round Bye
  • [x] Clinched Playoff Berth

Playoff Rounds and Dates

  • The Wild Card Round is January 6-7
  • The Divisional Round is January 13-14
  • The Conference Round is January 21
  • The Super Bowl is February 4 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis
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