NFL playoff picture: Vikings can clinch with win tonight
The Vikings could have clinched a playoff berth today if the Falcons lost or the Seahawks won.
Both those results seemed like, but Atlanta knocked off unbeaten Carolina and Seattle lost at home to St. Louis. If Seattle, the Vikings and Atlanta finish with the same record (9-7) the Seahawks and Falcons will get wild card berths based on tiebreakers, leaving the Vikings out.
So the Vikings would need to win tonight to clinch a playoff berth this week. One result that went in the Vikings’ pregame favor was the Packers’ loss at Arizona. That means the Vikings will play the Packers next week in Green Bay with the NFC North title at stake. If the teams end up with the same record, the Vikings hold the tiebreaker (better record in the division).
Here’s a look at the NFL playoff picture entering tonight’s game:
NFC
East: Washington (8-7) clinched the East and the NFC’s No. 4 seed.
South: Carolina (14-1) clinched the South and a first-round bye. It needs a win or an Arizona loss to clinch home field throughout the playoffs.
North: Green Bay (10-5) has clinched a playoff berth. It can clinch the North with a victory over the Vikings on Sunday. If the Vikings win that game, they are the division champions.
West: Arizona (13-2) has clinched the West and a first round bye. It can clinch home field throughout the playoffs with a win and a Carolina loss.
Wild card: Seattle (9-6) has clinched a wild-card berth. The Vikings (9-5) need a win to clinch a wild-card berth, and can win the NFC North by beating the Packers on Sunday. Atlanta (8-7) would make the playoffs if the Vikings, Seahawks and Falcons have the same record, leaving the Vikings out.
AFC
East: New England (12-3) has clinched the division and a first-round bye.
South: Houston (8-7) can clinch with a win or if Cincinnati wins Monday night. That would mean the Texans would have the fifth tiebreaker (strength of victory) over Indianapolis (7-8) for the South title.
North: Cincinnati (11-3) has clinched the North and a first-round bye.
West: Denver (10-4) can clinch a playoff spot with a victory Monday night. Kansas City (10-5) is still in the division title picture.
Wild cards: Kansas City has clinched a playoff spot. The N.Y. Jets (10-5) can clinch with a victory or a Pittsburgh loss.