NFL.com Posts Sad Vikings Prediction
Throughout most of the spring and summer, oddsmakers expected the 2025 Minnesota Vikings to win about eight or nine games. That forecast is still on a firm track to fruition, but there’s a problem. According to NFL.com, the purple team is unlikely to reach the postseason, falling short with a 9-8 record.
NFL.com isn’t feeling optimistic about Minnesota’s outlook this season, dropping a gloomy projection that paints a tough road ahead for the Vikings.
That’s the latest and greatest theory from Ali Bhanpuri, who sized up all NFL teams’ quest for the playoffs this week.
NFL.com Doubts Vikings Can Reach Playoffs
A 4-5 record will do that.
Ali Bhanpuri Say No Playoffs for Vikings
It’s “no thanks” on the postseason per NFL.com.
Bhanpuri wrote this week, “I was right about … Minnesota’s mark through 10 weeks, though I might’ve been a tad bit off on how they’d arrive there. I was wrong about … them beating the Ravens at home. Turns out I was one week late on my Vikings upset pick. Minnesota ends the season on a three-game winning streak — including playing spoiler in a win-and-in season finale for Green Bay — but finishes firmly on the fringe of the playoff picture.”
“As far as consolation prizes go, keeping the Packers out of the postseason is about as good as it gets for a rival NFC North team. Final projection: Record: 9-8 (previous projection: 8-9). Division finish: 4th (previous: same). Will the Vikings make the playoffs? No.”
In some seasons, a 9-8 record, as forecasted by Bhanpuri, might get Minnesota into the dance. This year isn’t like that; the playoff-hopeful field is roughly nine teams deep entering Week 1.
The Math Is Even Grimmer
If you trust popular playoff odds metrics, Minnesota is toast.
DVOA, usually an accurate indicator of a team’s standing and playoff hopes, gives the Vikings a 6.5% chance of reaching the January tournament. That’s in the same boat as the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals.
Sportsbooks are a bit kinder to the purple team, assigning a +490 moneyline, equating to a 16.9% chance of visiting the playoffs.
In short, Bhanpuri’s projection aligns with the playoff math and might even be more optimistic.
Vikings Need a 6-2 Record the Rest of the Way
With a crowded NFC field, Minnesota must finish the remainder of the season with a 6-2 record. Yep, they can only lose two more games.
That would situate them with a 10-7 record in early January, probably enough to secure the 6th or 7th seed. Here’s the remaining schedule, with the reminder that only two more losses can be stomached:
- Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears
- Week 12: at Green Bay Packers
- Week 13: at Seattle Seahawks
- Week 14: vs. Washington Commanders
- Week 15: at Dallas Cowboys (SNF)
- Week 16: at New York Giants
- Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions (XMas)
- Week 18: vs. Green Bay Packers
The Main Problems
Want to know just what in the hell is wrong with the Vikings? Here you go — in the vein of NFL rankings:
- 26th in Time of Possession
- 28th in Passing Completion Pct
- 29th in Rushing Playcall Pct
- 29th in Sacks Allowed Pct
- 31st in Offensive 3rd Down Conv
- 31st in Giveaways
- 31st in Most Penalties
All those horrible rankings mix together for a losing record at the season’s mid-point.
Bhanpuri on the Packers, Bears
Here’s what Bhanpuri noted on the Packers: “Second-half double down: Although I still have the Packers finishing the year 4-4, going .500 down the stretch is no longer sufficient to secure their place in the playoffs. The confounding losses to Cleveland and Carolina ultimately catch up with this uber-talented but underperforming squad.
“Final projection. Record: 9-7-1 (previous projection: 11-6). Division finish: 3rd (previous: 1st). Will the Packers make the playoffs? No.”
And on the Bears: “I was right about … the Bears being in the thick of the NFC playoff picture by mid-November. I was wrong about … Week 4 in Vegas. I waffled on that pick back in August before eventually siding with the Silver and Black. I’m still sick about it. Second-half double down: Chicago sneaks into the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season. Record: 10-7 (previous projection: 8-9). Division finish: 2nd (previous: 3rd). Will the Bears make the playoffs? Yes, as the No. 6 seed.”
If Minnesota loses at home this Sunday to the Bears, its objective of reaching the playoffs is probably dead.
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