Here’s What the Vikings Need to Happen to Reach the Playoffs

Here's What the Vikings Need to Happen to Reach the Playoffs
Anthony Barr

The “easy” method for the Minnesota Vikings to reach the playoffs after 15 weeks — the purple and gold team doesn’t do anything easy — was winning the season’s final three games against the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears.

That alone would’ve punched Minnesota’s ticket to the playoffs. Bar none.

Alas, the Vikings lost at home to Los Angeles Rams on Sunday 30-23, ending reasonable paths to the postseason. Now, Mike Zimmer’s squad must rely on “help” from other NFL franchises. And VikingsTerritory is here to tell you how that works.

Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings emphatically do not control their playoff destiny. So, write that down. Brandon Powell’s punt return touchdown effectively ended that dream on Sunday afternoon around 2:00 pm Central time.

Heading into Week 16, Minnesota kept an eye on the Washington Football Team, Philadelphia Eagles, and New Orleans Saints in the event they lost to Los Angeles. Lo and behold, they lost.

For starters, the Vikings must defeat the Packers and Bears in Weeks 17 and 18. Otherwise, this article is for nil.

Thankfully for the Vikings, Washington was bayonetted by the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, wiping one hurdle off the board. Washington needed to lose one game in the final three weeks. The Cowboys did just that for the Vikings. Washington is no longer a realistic interloper to the Vikings playoff picture.

Next, the Saints must lose one game to an NFC team — either the Carolina Panthers or Atlanta Falcons. New Orleans’ game on Monday really doesn’t matter too much to Minnesota. For tiebreaking purposes, the Saints have to drop a game to an NFC team in Week 17 or 18.

After that, you, the Vikings fan, become a Cowboys fan — again. Dallas gutted Washington, and they must beat Philadelphia, too. The Cowboys and Eagles play in Week 18. You could also pray for a Washington win over Philadelphia next week, but that feels unlikely. Philadelphia, like New Orleans, must lose a game to an NFC team.

And that’s it. The Vikings have to beat the Packers and Bears while the Saints and Eagles lose one game apiece to an NFC team. It’s possible — but find a Vikings fan who judiciously believes Zimmer’s team will win at Lambeau Field next weekend. That sentiment is not widespread after a depressing loss to the Rams.

Overall, according to FiveThirtyEight.com, the Vikings have 11% odds to reach the playoffs. Had they toppled the Rams in Week 16, the probability would’ve climbed to 50%.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

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