How the Vikings can still capture the top seed in the NFC
By Adam Patrick
Scenario No. 1
- Vikings win next three games
- 49ers lose next three games
- Packers lose next two games
- Seahawks lose next two games
- Saints lose in Week 17
Scenario No. 2
- Vikings win next three games
- 49ers lose next three games
- Packers lose next two games
- Seahawks lose next two games
- Saints lose two of their final three games
Both scenarios are basically the same, except when it comes to the New Orleans Saints. The Vikings can still get the top seed in the NFC if the Saints only lose one of their next three matchups.
However, this lone New Orleans loss has to come against the Carolina Panthers in Week 17. This would result in Minnesota and the Saints both ending the year with a 12-4 record, but the Vikings would hold the tiebreaker since they would finish a better winning percentage in the NFC.
Hoping for the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks to lose their games in Week 15 and Week 16 may seem like a lot to ask, but it’s certainly not impossible. The Packers have divisional matchups during the next two weeks and the Seahawks have played down to their competition all season long.
The biggest long shot for each of these two scenarios is hoping that the 49ers will drop all of their final three contests of the year. San Francisco has only lost two games all season long and two of their last three matchups will take place in their home stadium.