The Vikings Are in “Must Win” Territory to Claim Their 2nd Consecutive Division Title

Josh Frey |

Dec 20, 2023

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) throws under pressure fro Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) in the first quarter of a Week 15 NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Cincinnati Bengals last Saturday and saw their record fall to 7-7 on the season.

As a result of that loss, and the Detroit Lions’ victory over the Denver Broncos later that same night, the Vikings officially find themselves in “must win” territory if they want to claim the NFC North crown.

The Vikings Are in “Must Win” Territory

Minnesota is three games behind the 10-4 Lions coming into the Christmas weekend, meaning their mission for the rest of the season is simple: just beat the opponents in front of them.

The Vikings are set to play the Lions twice over the final three weeks, and then their other game is also against a divisional opponent in the Green Bay Packers.

Meanwhile, Detroit’s other game sandwiched between Weeks 16 and 18 is a road matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. The Vikings would also need Detroit to lose that game in order to ensure that Week 18 is a game that decides the NFC North.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates a touchdown score in the fourth quarter of a Week 15 NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won 27-24 in overtime.

Luckily, an NFC North title isn’t the only way for the Vikings to get into the playoffs this year. They currently hold the No. 6 seed in the NFC at 7-7, and they have a 6-3 record against NFC opponents, giving them tiebreakers over every other team in the chase pack for a Wild Card spot.

Here is a look at the other 7-7 teams and their in-conference records:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-4
Seattle Seahawks: 6-5
Los Angeles Rams: 5-4
New Orleans Saints: 4-5

So, it is mathematically impossible for any NFC team other than the Buccaneers to reach eight in-conference wins on the season. Even then, the Buccaneers are leading the NFC South, so if they win that division, they hold no implications for the Vikings in the playoff race.

Syndication: The Enquirer — The Minnesota Vikings prepare to take the field prior to a Week 15 NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won 27-24 in overtime.

Because of that, the Vikings simply need to go 2-1 over the final three weeks to claim a Wild Card spot. It would entail splitting the series with Detroit and earning a victory over the Packers, or they could sweep the series with Detroit and afford a loss to the Packers.

If the Vikings are able to clinch a second consecutive playoff berth, it would be the first time that they’ve done so since the 2008 and 2009 seasons. They currently have a 44.2% chance of making the playoffs according to the ESPN Football Power Index.

Also Read on PurplePTSD:
The Vikings Issue a Warning

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.