The playoff prospects for the 7-8 Minnesota Vikings suffered a setback on Sunday, as they no longer hold control over their postseason destiny. Currently in pursuit of a wild-card berth, they find themselves trailing the Rams and the Seahawks. With only two games remaining, four NFC playoff spots have already been secured by the 49ers, Lions, Cowboys, and Eagles, representing the West, North, East, and East champions, respectively. However, the remaining playoff picture is a convoluted mix of 8-7 and 7-8 teams, among which the Vikings are situated.
In the NFC, the top four seeds are reserved for the division winners, irrespective of their records. The No. 1 seed earns a first-round playoff bye, while the other six seeds engage in the opening weekend of the playoffs scheduled for January 13-15, featuring a “Monday Night Football” playoff game.
The division leaders, such as the 49ers who have clinched the NFC West, and the Lions, North champions after defeating the Vikings, have secured their spots. The Eagles, despite a three-game losing streak, stand atop the NFC East at 10-4 and face the 5-9 Giants in their upcoming match. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers, riding a four-game winning streak, have edged ahead of the Saints in the South.
Among the wild-card contenders, the Cowboys have already clinched a playoff spot and trail the Eagles by half a game in the East. The Rams, with a 5-1 record in their past six games, control their fate and are set to face the Giants. The Seahawks, buoyed by two consecutive dramatic victories, have entered playoff contention and will face the Steelers next. The Vikings, now out of a wild-card position, must rely on the Rams or Seahawks losing in their upcoming games. Their next challenge is against Green Bay, a crucial matchup for both teams.
The Saints, Falcons, and Packers, all standing at 7-8, are still in contention, with the Packers facing a must-win situation against the Vikings on New Year’s Eve. The Saints, despite a costly loss to the Rams, retain the possibility of a division title and are scheduled to play Tampa Bay next, while the Falcons, by halting a skid, remain in the race with an upcoming game against Chicago.
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