Following Week 13 of the 2022 NFL season, where do the Minnesota Vikings fall in terms of the NFC North and NFC standings?
In Week 13, the Minnesota Vikings had a chance to clinch the NFC North title with a win and a Detroit Lions tie or loss. The Vikings ended up getting a win in their matchup with the New York Jets, but unfortunately, the Lions also came away with a victory in their contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
So winning the NFC North will have to be put off for at least one more week for Minnesota. However, since the Vikings and Lions are facing each other in Week 14, a win over Detroit by Minnesota will clinch their first division crown since 2017.
Hopefully, the Vikings can take care of business and get a victory over the Lions next Sunday. If not, Minnesota should still be able to clinch the NFC North within the very near future.
NFC North Standings after Week 13
- 1. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
- 2. Detroit Lions (5-7)
- 3. Green Bay Packers (5-8)
- 4. Chicago Bears (3-10)
By defeating the Jets this past Sunday, the Vikings not only won their 10th game of the season, but they also eliminated the Green Bay Packers from miraculously winning the NFC North this year.
The Packers still remained alive in the hunt for a spot in the NFC playoffs, however, after they were able to defeat the Chicago Bears this past weekend. With the loss to Green Bay, the Bears have officially been eliminated from playoff contention this season.
NFC Standings after Week 13
- 1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-1)*
- 2. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)*
- 3. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)*
- 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)*
- 5. Dallas Cowboys (9-3)
- 6. New York Giants (7-4-1)
- 7. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
*Division Leader
Playoff Matchups if the Season ended after Week 13
Wild-Card Round*
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks
- San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys
*Philadelphia Eagles get a first-round bye
The Rest
- 8. Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
- 9. Detroit Lions (5-7)
- 10. Green Bay Packers (5-8)
- 11. Atlanta Falcons (5-8)
- 12. Arizona Cardinals (4-8)
- 13. Carolina Panthers (4-8)
- 14. New Orleans Saints (4-9)
- 15. Los Angeles Rams (3-9)
- 16. Chicago Bears (3-10)
For at least one week, the Seattle Seahawks have snuck into the No. 7 spot in the NFC, which would be good enough for them to get into the playoffs if the season ended today.
With the recent injury to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the Seahawks now actually have a decent shot at winning the NFC West this year.
Currently, FiveThirtyEight has Seattle with a 33 percent chance to win their division this season, and that will only increase if they continue to earn more victories during the next few weeks.