5 games Vikings fans should watch during Week 15
By Chris Schad
Atlanta Falcons (4-9) at San Francisco 49ers (11-2)
Time: 3:25 p.m. CT, Sunday
Line: 49ers by 10.5 points
Playoff Position: San Francisco – 1st, Atlanta – eliminated
Although it has an obscenely small chance of happening, the Vikings can still claim the top seed in the NFC if several things fall into place. For either of those scenarios to happen, Minnesota needs the 49ers to lose each of their final three games, but the odds of that happening do not seem good.
Over the past couple of weeks, the 49ers have cemented their status as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. After destroying the Green Bay Packers on national television in Week 12, San Francisco basically tripled down by playing the Baltimore Ravens tough in a loss the following week and George Kittle taking on the entire New Orleans defense to take down the Saints last week.
Long story short, the 49ers are good and they seem to be getting better despite a no-name cast of characters. Emmanuel Sanders has played out of his mind since coming over from Denver and Raheem Mostert has played so well, he’s slated to be the lead back with capable runners Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida behind him.
It would be great if the Vikings, who are 6-0 at home this year, could somehow escape with the top seed. But with San Francisco looking more and more like the best team in the NFC, that scenario seems like a pipe dream for Minnesota.