Connect with us

Minnesota Vikings

Taking a look at the Vikings’ current playoff situation following Week 13

Published

on

The Minnesota Vikings (6-6) took a much-needed bye in Week 13, but it didn’t stop them from pushing up in the NFC playoff picture.

Minnesota was the No. 7 seed entering the week, but the Seattle Seahawks’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football allowed the Vikes to move up a spot. Seattle, on the other hand, has risen to ninth place thanks to a 6-6 record.

In Week 14, the Vikings will face the Las Vegas Raiders, who are a highly winnable team. That is, they are highly likely to increase their grip on the sixth seed. They must, however, resolve their quarterback position before they can consider winning games. The good news is that the Raiders also have a shaky quarterback position.

The Vikings’ remaining schedule is difficult, but not impossible.

Outside of the Raiders game, the rest of Minnesota’s schedule looks like this:

Week 15: Visiting the Cincinnati Bengals
Week 16: at the Detroit Lions
Week 17: Green Bay Packers against.
Week 18: Visiting the Detroit Lions

Obviously, the Bengals game is also winnable. However, the last three games, notably those against the Lions, have been a completely different tale.

The Packers are currently on fire and seem like a playoff club, despite a double-digit loss to the Vikings in October. In fact, it was that setback that prompted the Packers to go on their current winning streak. The Vikings’ clash in that game, which might be a deciding struggle for one of the Wild Card slots, will be very exciting to watch.

The Lions are almost a lock to win the NFC North at this point unless something completely unexpected happens, and they’ll most likely have the division wrapped up by Week 16. But, because we’re talking about division opponents, the Vikings may still be a thorn in the Lions’ side. Teams will not simply lay down in these types of games, regardless of the conditions.

Going into these final five games, the Vikings have the eighth-hardest remaining strength of schedule. It won’t be easy, but if they can work out the quarterback position and the defense continues to play well, they have a chance to make the playoffs for the second year in a row under Kevin O’Connell.

Trending