5 things to know about the Vikings and Buccaneers for Week 14
By Dustin Baker
Minnesota would move into No. 6 seed with a win in Tampa Bay
Minnesota cannot afford to lose more than one more game in 2020 if they want to have a firm chance at an entrance into the postseason. Purple eyes will be on the performance of the Arizona Cardinals as they must lose any time that the Vikings do (at least as a grand total by season’s end).
Toppling Tampa Bay is a mighty undertaking. This game presents the “one game” that Vikings are most likely to drop during the remainder of the season. If they find a way to win, however, Minnesota really plants its buttocks in the driver’s seat. The Vikings-Buccaneers tiebreaker would break in favor of Minnesota whereas Tampa Bay’s playoff aspirations would be thrust into jeopardy. Tom Brady and Co. would then cheer for the Vikings to lose just as Minnesota roots against the Cardinals.
A win in Tampa would temporarily secure the sixth-seed in the NFC for the Vikings. Per fivethirtyeight.com, Minnesota’s probability to achieve playoff football would rise to 72%.