Surely, if the Vikings win out and go 15-2, Minnesota would claim a first-round bye in the playoffs, right? Not necessarily. Looking at ESPN’s playoff machine, there is a scenario in which both the Lions and Vikings could finish 15-2, and Detroit would receive the No. 1 seed, and Minnesota, having the same record, would get the No. 5 seed.
Since the Vikings and Lions are both in the NFC North, Minnesota would have to travel for its first playoff game even with an outstanding record. The Vikings would travel to Arizona to face the Cardinals in this matchup.
With how well the Lions are playing, Minnesota will have to continue its winning ways with one chance of beating Detroit and banking on the Lions losing one more game on the way.
Minnesota will face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, playing for the first time against former Viking quarterback Kirk Cousins.