Believe it or not, the Minnesota Vikings still have something to play for in the Week 18 finale in Detroit. While it’s a contrived longshot, the Vikings can still make the postseason if they beat the Lions.
Even after getting blown out by the Packers in Week 17, Detroit’s Week 18 foe isn’t mathematically eliminated from the final NFC wild card spot. Sunday’s game kicks off before any of these other outcomes will be known, too.
Foremost, the Vikings have to beat the Lions. Detroit wins at home and the door is slammed shut. Minnesota also needs all of the following to happen in Week 18:
- Bears beat the Packers
- Cardinals beat the Seahawks
- Buccaneers lose to the Panthers OR the Saints lose to the Falcons
It seems more likely that none of those things happen, but the Vikings can still dream…
If the Lions beat the Vikings and the Bears beat the Packers, Minnesota will finish in last place in the NFC North a year after winning the division.