Can the Minnesota Vikings clinch a playoff spot? A look at their Week 14 clinching scenarios

The Minnesota Vikings have played really good football this season and have a 10-2 record to show for it. The Vikings don't just have 10 wins, they have won five games in a row on two separate occasions. In those winning streaks, the Vikings have gone 2-1 in the NFC North and convincingly beaten multiple […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) reacts with wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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The Minnesota Vikings have played really good football this season and have a 10-2 record to show for it.

The Vikings don't just have 10 wins, they have won five games in a row on two separate occasions. In those winning streaks, the Vikings have gone 2-1 in the NFC North and convincingly beaten multiple preseason Super Bowl contenders.

With their game on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, it will see the return of Kirk Cousins to U.S. Bank Stadium for the first time since leaving the Vikings after the 2023 season. The game will carry some heavy playoff implications for both teams.

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How the Minnesota Vikings can clinch a playoff spot

The Vikings can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a tie against the Falcons, but they can't do it on their own. They will need some help to get there.

  1. MIN win + SEA-ARI tie
  2. MIN win + ARI loss + LAR loss or tie
  3. MIN tie + TB loss + ARI loss + LAR loss
  4. MIN tie + TB loss + ARI tie + LAR loss + PHI win or tie

The Vikings do have the tiebreaker over the Arizona Cardinals after their 23-22 win this past Sunday afternoon but they don't play against the Seattle Seahawks until December 22nd, which means they need some help to get the playoff spot clinched. They need a Los Angeles Rams loss because of the Vikings loss to them in week eight on Thursday Night Football.

If they don't clinch this week, they will likely have a much easier path to clinch a playoff spot in week 15, especially if they get a win this week over the Falcons. All it will take is a win next week against the Chicago Bears.

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