When is the earliest the Vikings can clinch a playoff spot this season?

With three games remaining on their 2019 schedule, how soon can the Minnesota Vikings clinch a spot in this season’s NFC playoff bracket?

With a 9-4 record after their first 13 games, the Minnesota Vikings are currently the No. 6 seed in the NFC. If the playoffs were to begin next week, the Vikings would be heading to New Orleans to take on Drew Brees and the Saints.

However, there are still three matchups left on Minnesota’s regular season schedule and a lot can happen during this time.

So far, the Saints are the only team in the NFC who have clinched a spot in this year’s playoffs. In Week 15, the Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks can all secure a spot in the NFC playoff bracket.

But what about the Vikings? Can Minnesota clinch a spot in the postseason this week? Unfortunately, not yet. There are no current scenarios in which the Vikings can secure a berth in the playoffs in Week 15.

However, Minnesota could clinch a spot in the postseason in Week 16. There are a few ways that this could happen and these are detailed below.

Clinching Scenario No. 1

Week 15

• Vikings win
• Rams lose
• Bears lose

Week 16

• Vikings win

or

• Rams lose

Clinching Scenario No. 2

Week 15

• Vikings win
• Bears win
• Rams lose

Week 16

• Vikings win + Bears lose

or

• Rams lose + Bears lose

Clinching Scenario No. 3

Week 15

• Vikings lose
• Rams lose
• Bears lose

Week 16

• Vikings win + Rams lose

Clinching Scenario No. 4

Week 15

• Vikings win
• Rams win
• Bears lose

Week 16

• Vikings win + Rams lose

Clinching Scenario No. 5

Week 15

• Vikings win
• Rams win
• Bears win

Week 16

• Vikings win + Rams lose

The easiest way for Minnesota to get into the playoffs would be to just win both of their upcoming games against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Packers. But as one can see from the scenarios outlined above, the Vikings can still clinch a postseason berth in Week 16 even if they somehow fall to the Chargers on Sunday.

There are no scenarios in which Minnesota can secure a spot in the playoffs in Week 16 if they lose both of their next two games. In fact, if this were to happen, the Vikings’ chances of making it into the postseason could be very much in danger.

But, once again, if Minnesota just goes out and takes care of business and comes away with victories in their next two matchups, then everything will be a lot less complicated when it comes to figuring out how they could get into the playoffs this season.