The Minnesota Vikings are headed to the NFL playoffs as the No. 6 seed. The Packers clinched the NFC North with their win over the Vikings which means Minnesota will be the final Wild Card team in the conference.
Even if the Vikings defeated the Packers, Minnesota would have needed Green Bay to also lose in Week 17 against the Lions to have a chance at winning the division. The Vikings then needed a win over the Bears in Week 17 for the division title to still be in play.
Minnesota clinched a playoff berth prior to their Monday Night Football matchup with the Packers after the Rams lost to the 49ers on Saturday night. Prior to clinching a playoff spot, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer noted they would not approach the Packers game any differently regardless of the outcome of the Rams game.
“I’ll probably watch it,” Zimmer admitted, per Vikings.com. “It won’t change too much. We like to win around here, so let’s go win.”
Heading into Week 17, the Vikings are the No. 6 seed and would make the playoffs as a Wild Card team. This means they would play the No. 3 seed which could be a number of teams including the Saints and Packers. Seattle could also be the No. 3 seed if they defeat San Francisco in Week 17.
The Seahawks and Vikings are the two NFC Wild Card teams heading into the final week. Seattle owns the tiebreaker over Minnesota if the two teams finish with identical records. If the season ended today, the No. 6 Vikings would take on the No. 3 Packers at Lambeau Field. All this leads to a very intriguing Week 17 as the Vikings square off with the Bears, while the Packers take on the Lions.
Here is a look at the current Vikings’ playoff standings.
NFC North Standings
The Packers clinched the NFC North with their win over the Vikings.
| TEAM | W | L | T |
| Packers | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| Vikings | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| Bears | 7 | 8 | 0 |
| Lions | 3 | 11 | 1 |
NFC Playoff Standings
Teams with an asterisk have already clinched a playoff spot. Teams in bold would make the playoffs if the postseason started today.
| TEAM | W | L | T |
| 1. 49ers* | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| 2. Packers* | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| 3. Saints* | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| 4. Eagles | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| 5. Seahawks* | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| 6. Vikings* | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| 7. Rams | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| 8. Bears | 7 | 8 | 0 |
| 9. Cowboys | 7 | 8 | 0 |
NFC Playoff Matchups
Here are the current NFC playoff matchups if the postseason started today. The top two seeds get a first-round bye and host a playoff game in the Divisional Round.
No. 6 Minnesota Vikings vs. No. 3 New Orleans Saints
No. 5 Seattle Seahawks vs. No. 4 Philadelphia Eagles
Bye: No. 1 San Francisco 49ers, No. 2 Green Bay Packers
NFC Wild Card Standings
The top two teams in the Wild Card standings will claim a playoff spot. Teams in bold would make the playoffs if the postseason started today.
| TEAM | W | L | T |
| 1. Seahawks* | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| 2. Vikings* | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| 3. Rams | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| 4. Bears | 7 | 8 | 0 |
| 5. Cowboys | 7 | 8 | 0 |
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Vikings Playoff Picture: Standings, Scenarios & Seed Week 17