With wins in each of their final two games of the 2025 season, the Minnesota Vikings would end up with a 9-8 record and a third-place finish in the NFC North for the second time in the last three years.
The last time this happened was back in 2023 when the Vikings ended their season with a 7-10 record after dealing with a number of significant injuries to several notable players, including Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson.
Does everyone remember what happened in the season after Minnesota's third-place NFC North finish in 2023? Oh yeah, that's right, they went on to make the playoffs in 2024 after winning 14 games for just the second time in the history of the franchise.
History says Minnesota Vikings are better finishing 9-8 than losing final two games
Many would assume that the Vikings losing both of their final two games this season would make things easier for them in 2026, since they would be "rewarded" with a better first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a fourth-place schedule next season.
Since 2010, however, history says differently for Minnesota, as they've actually performed better in years right after a third-place finish compared to a fourth-place finish.
Vikings 3rd & 4th-place NFCN finishes since 2010
— Adam Patrick (@adampatrickNFL) December 22, 2025
3rd in 2023 -> 14-3 in 2024*
3rd in 2020 -> 8-9 in 2021
3rd in 2016 -> 13-3 in 2017**
3rd in 2014 -> 11-5 in 2015**
4th in 2013 -> 7-9 in 2014
4th in 2011 -> 10-6 in 2012*
4th in 2010 -> 3-13 in 2011
* = playoffs
** = NFCN champ pic.twitter.com/XHMfBgFY9J
Not only did the Vikings' 14-win season in 2024 come right after a third-place finish in 2023, but two of the last three times Minnesota has won the NFC North (2017 and 2015), it happened in a season that followed a third-place finish in the previous year.
Compare this to the three fourth-place finishes that the Vikings have had since 2010, none of which resulted in them winning a division title in the following season, and it's pretty clear which path is the better one for Minnesota to follow this year if this trend continues.
Obviously, it's not a guarantee that the Vikings ending the 2025 campaign in third place in the NFC North will result in a better performance from them next season. However, there is literal proof that Minnesota has had much better luck when they continue to fight for wins even after being eliminated from the playoff picture.