Now, getting back to the Vikings and their playoff hopes: With their win over Arizona and the combination of the Giants, Panthers, Eagles, Falcons and 49ers losing, they are only one game out of the sixth wild card spot, and are currently ahead of every other 5-6 team in the NFC due to the tiebreakers, which ESPN.com has kindly laid out for us. And, as I've been saying all year, the Vikings have a schedule that sets up perfectly for the stretch run, if they are able to take advantage of it.
Unlike their competitors from the NFC East and the NFC South, the Vikings still have a game left against an AFC team, meaning that even if they finish 8-8, they will be guaranteed a winning record in the NFC, something only the Giants would have if they finished 8-8. They hold the tiebreaker over the Panthers, and get a chance at the Rams at home to end the season (possibly Childress' first chance to erase the trend of the Tice era--losing playoff clinching games).
Really, the only team the Vikings have to worry about, provided they take care of business, is the 49ers. The Niners hold the tiebreaker over the Vikings and have the exact same record. Their schedule is pretty brutal to end the season though, as they have to go to New Orleans and Seattle, and host Denver.
As you can see, if the Vikings go 9-7, they will make the playoffs. If they go 8-8, they'll need some help, but will still have a decent shot. Of course, losing to da Bears is probably not the best start to a 4-1 finish. Then again, Grossman has been turning the ball over a lot lately...
[As always, the playoff table is down aways]
[Just a little further...]
[Further....]
[Further....]
[Further....]
[Further....]
And here it is!
Team | Record | NFC Record | Tiebreakers | Tiebreaker Games Left | Division Games Left | Opponents Left | ||||
MIN | 5-6 | 5-3 | SEA, CAR | STL | @GB, @DET, @CHI | NYJ | ||||
NYG | 6-5 | 5-2 | ATL | @CAR, NO | DAL, PHI, WAS | | ||||
PHI | 5-6 | 4-3 | GB, SF | CAR, ATL | @WAS, @NYG, @DAL | | ||||
DAL | 7-4 | 4-3 | CAR | NO, @ATL | @NYG, PHI, | TB, | ||||
NO | 7-4 | 5-1 | PHI, NO, ATL | @DAL, @NYG | CAR | SF, WAS | ||||
ATL | 5-6 | 3-4 | NONE | DAL, @PHI | CAR, @TB | @WAS, | ||||
CAR | 6-5 | 4-4 | STL | @PHI, NYG | @ATL, @NO | PIT | ||||
SEA | 7-4 | 6-3 | NYG, STL | | @AZ, SF | @ | ||||
STL | 5-6 | 4-4 | | @MIN | AZ | CHI, @OAK, WAS | ||||
SF | 5-6 | 4-4 | MIN | @NO, GB | @ | DEN |
2 comments:
Of the teams listed, the Vikes and Rams have the eastiest schedules. Week 17 duel for a wild card?
The Rams could easily lose any of their remaining games too. It is so hard to figure out who has a good team anymore. Everyone plays so up and down from week to week that it is impossible to get a feel for the playoffs in the NFC.
As pessimistic as I've been throughout my Vikings history, I will say I am "cautiously optimistic" they will make it Round 1.
Basing one's hopes on the strength(?) of BJs arm remains problematic at best though. At any rate, Go Vikes!
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