Vikings' path to winning the NFC North got significantly easier due to circumstances out of their control
After being picked by many analysts to finish last in the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings have clinched a playoff spot and will at minimum play a game in the playoffs. In order to win a Super Bowl, you have to make the tournament. With a preseason win total of a paltry 6.5 wins, the Vikings […]
After being picked by many analysts to finish last in the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings have clinched a playoff spot and will at minimum play a game in the playoffs. In order to win a Super Bowl, you have to make the tournament.
With a preseason win total of a paltry 6.5 wins, the Vikings blew past that with their week 10 win 12-7 over the Jacksonville Jaguars and with the Buffalo Bills' 48-42 win over the Detroit Lions, the Vikings are suddenly even closer to winning the NFC North.
Vikings could take advantage of Lions' misfortune
Within the Lions 48-42 loss to the Bills on Sunday, they suffered multiple injuries that have hindered them for the rest of the season.
- DT Alim McNeill (torn ACL): Out for the season
- CB Carlton Davis (broken jaw): Out indefinitely
- RB David Montgomery (MCL): Out for these season
- CB Khalil Dorsey (broken leg): Out for the season
These injuries are just compiling on top of each other, and they have been since star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson broke his leg against the Dallas Cowboys in week six and was ruled our for at minimum the rest of the regular season.
It's been a brutal string of injuries for the Lions, including their best three defensive linemen and three of their top four cornerbacks.
This is the best Lions team in over 50 years and seeing them get decimated by injuries has been brutal. What it has done is getting the Vikings in better position to potentially win the NFC North.
Here is what the Vikings have to do to win the NFC North:
Win out
Yep, it's that simple. All they need to do is win every game. Now, they can clinch after week 17 if the Vikings their next three games and the Lions lose their next two game against the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears.
The other intriguing element about the Vikings potentially winning the NFC North is how the consensus odds have shifted.
Odds going into week 15 courtesy of Bet MGM:
- Lions: -1000
- Vikings: +600
Odds on Monday, December 16th:
- Lions: -500
- Vikings: +350
The injuries are starting to take a toll for the Lions and the sportsbooks are taking note. The game isn't played on the betting lines but rather the field. No matter how many key players are injured, you still need to win the games.
Can the Vikings do that? We will find out.
Justin Jefferson’s on-field impact is arguably even greater when he’s not catching the football for the Vikings
He’s the best in the National Football League for a reason
