How the Vikings Can Still Host a Playoff Game
The Minnesota Vikings failed to clinch the division in Detroit, losing in a hostile environment to an impressive Lions team that ended the season with a 15-2 record while sweeping the purple rivals. Because division winners are rewarded with home playoff games in the first round, the five-seed Vikings will play in Los Angeles despite winning more games.
How the Vikings Can Still Host a Playoff Game
Although the first game will be on the road, the Vikings can still host a home game. This is what needs to happen.
Step 1: Win in Los Angeles
There’s no way around it: the Vikings need to advance in the playoffs to host a playoff game. The two franchises met earlier in the year in Week 8, and Kevin O’Connell’s former employer got the better of his crew.
It was a tough road contest after a short week of preparation because the game was scheduled on a Thursday. The Vikings ultimately lost by ten points. You might remember the uncalled facemask in the endzone, which led to a safety and practically ended the game.
To end the season, the Rams had won their previous five games before resting their starters in Week 18, but the Vikings are still favored by one point.
Step 2: Packers Win in Philadelphia
A rematch from the season opener that the Eagles won in Brazil, the Vikings need to cheer for their hated rivals if they want a divisional round game to take place at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Packers have failed to beat an elite team in the regular season, getting swept by the Lions and Vikings as well as losing to Philadelphia. The Eagles share Minnesota’s 14-3 record and only lost one of their last 13 games.
The Eagles are favored by 4.5 points.
Step 3: Commanders Win in Tampa Bay
The Commanders finished as the sixth seed, while the Buccaneers are the third seed following their Week 18 triumph and the Rams’ loss.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has been phenomenal all year, and the Commanders have turned around their season under the new regime rather quickly. Tampa Bay lost to Kirk Cousins’ Falcons twice in the regular season but still finished ahead of him.
Baker Mayfield’s squad is favored by three at home, but the Vikings need Daniels and head coach Dan Quinn to pull off the upset.
Bonus Round: Reach the Championship Game vs. Packers or Commanders
If all three wildcard teams beat the three division winners, the Vikings would host the Commanders in the divisional round, and the Lions would play a third time against the Packers.
If that fails, however, the Vikings can still play the NFC Championship game at home if the Commanders or the Packers advance that far, as well.
Minnesota will play all games against the four division winners (Lions, Eagles, Buccaneers, Rams) on the road and against the other two wild-card clubs (Commanders, Packers) at home.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt