5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears – Week 18
By Chris Schad
Minnesota will be locked into the third seed in the NFC
You might be sensing a pattern here, and you’re absolutely correct. The Vikings are going to be the third seed in the playoffs, and it’s just a matter of who they will be facing.
The 49ers have won nine straight games. While it’s fair to question the legitimacy of the teams that they have beaten, they’ll be facing a Cardinals team that has been booking tee times in Scottsdale and getting ready to fire Kliff Kingsbury. Even J.J. Watt, who has returned from several severe injuries in record time, has announced his retirement, which leaves Arizona on the verge of a lengthy rebuild.
Peterman could get the start for the 49ers and they would still win this game, meaning the Vikings are left to wonder who they could draw in the first round of the playoffs.
For the Wild Card round, getting the third seed may be a blessing in disguise. The New York Giants are locked into the sixth seed, and although it took a 61-yard field goal from Greg Joseph to win the first meeting, they aren’t as intimidating as the teams who could take home the seventh seed.
Green Bay is surging. Detroit has been on fire for weeks. While the Seahawks have been fading, they’ll play the 5-11 Los Angeles Rams, which should lead to keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Each of these teams has issues for the Vikings, and by the end of the afternoon, the Vikings will know the path they need to take to make a run.