It doesn't happen often, but the Minnesota Vikings are actually thankful for the Green Bay Packers following all of Sunday's Week 15 matchups. That's because the Packers were able to defeat the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night, and with the win, the Vikings have officially clinched a spot in the 2024 NFL playoffs.
Now, we don't still don't know what seed Minnesota will have when the postseason begins in January, as they're still in contention to end up with the NFC's No. 1 seed. But at the very least, we know that for the 32nd time in the history of the franchise, the Vikings will be taking part in the NFL playoffs.
Minnesota is one of three NFC teams that have already clinched a postseason berth this year. Along with the Vikings, the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles have won enough games so far this season to earn a spot in the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings heading to 2024 NFL playoffs after Green Bay Packers win over Seattle Seahawks
By clinching a postseason berth on Sunday, Minnesota has now tied the Los Angeles Rams for the fifth-most playoff appearances in NFL history.
The Rams still have a chance to re-claim the fifth spot all to themselves if they make the postseason this year, but after this weekend's games, only the Packers (36 appearances), Dallas Cowboys (36), Pittsburgh Steelers (35), and New York Giants (33) have made more trips to the playoffs than the Vikings.
Sunday's news also means that Minnesota is going to take part in the postseason for the second time in the team's three years with Kevin O'Connell as its head coach. O'Connell is the first Vikings head coach to lead the franchise to two playoff appearances in his first three seasons with the team since Dennis Green in 1993.
O'Connell is still looking for his first playoff win as Minnesota's head coach, and if he's able to accomplish that this season, he will be the first Vikings head coach to lead the team to a playoff victory during one of his first three years with the franchise since Mike Tice in 2004.