7 games that will impact the Vikings draft position in Week 16
By Adam Carlson
Carolina Panthers (4-10) vs. Washington Football Team (6-8)
- Game time: Sunday at 3:05 pm CT (FOX)
- Who to root for: Football Team
A win over the Panthers would do wonders for the Vikings playoff positioning, as they would go a long way toward confirming their spot at 19 overall. Since Minnesota could beat the Lions next week, it’s always better safe than sorry when it comes to football.
Washington is 2.5 point favorites, making them the second team on this to actually be favored heading into their game. Hopefully the Football Team can do what is expected of them and put Carolina away.
Philadelphia Eagles (4-9-1) vs. Dallas Cowboys (5-9)
- Game time: Sunday at 3:25 pm CT (FOX)
- Who to root for: Cowboys
There is no way the Vikings can jump ahead of the Eagles in the draft order. That tie will never allow that to happen. For that reason, it’s the Cowboys who need to win in Week 16 as owners of the number 8 overall draft pick.
Interestingly, this is another game with a fairly narrow spread. Philadelphia is 2.5 point favorites despite having the worse record and being the road team. Perhaps the oddsmakers really love what they’ve seen from Jalen Hurts so far.
Buffalo Bills (11-3) vs. New England Patriots (6-8)
- Game time: Monday at 7:15 pm CT (ESPN)
- Who to root for: Patriots
It’s definitely weird to talk about the Patriots being eliminated from the playoffs heading into their Week 16 game. Buffalo will be playing for playoff positioning, meaning there will be no holding back against New England.
The Bills are seven-point favorites and more than likely to stomp the Patriots. That is a shame because the Patriots are currently in the number 15 spot in the 2021 NFL Draft and them staying behind Minnesota in the draft would be great.
Which of these games do you think has the best chance to go the way the Minnesota Vikings need them to go in order to improve their draft positioning? And what pick do you think the purple and gold will end up with during the 2021 NFL Draft? Let us know your opinion in the comments.