Minnesota notched its record to 3-3 with a victory over Carolina in Week 6. The Vikings have their flaws, but the team’s knack for late-game heroics has placed them squarely in the NFC playoff picture.
So where does that leave Minnesota specifically? Take a look here:
NFC Playoff Picture after Week 6:
- Arizona Cardinals (6-0)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1)
- Green Bay Packers (5-1)
- Dallas Cowboys (5-1)
- Los Angeles Rams (5-1)
- New Orleans Saints (3-2)
- Minnesota Vikings (3-3)
In the hunt:
- Chicago Bears (3-3)
- Carolina Panthers (3-3)
- San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
- Atlanta Falcons (2-3)
- Washington Football Team (2-4)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)
- Seattle Seahawks (2-4)
NFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:
- No. 2 Buccaneers vs. No. 7 Vikings
- No. 3 Packers vs. No. 6 Saints
- No. 4 Cowboys vs. No. 5 Rams
The Buccaneers would be a tough first-round adversary for the Vikings. Last year, the two teams faced off in a game with huge playoff implications. Fair or not, Tampa Bay got the better of Minnesota. The two teams’ seasons went in opposite directions after that. The Vikings finished 7-9 and missed the postseason. And the Buccaneers, of course, won the Super Bowl.