It's kind of wild that the Minnesota Vikings are 11-2 after 14 weeks and still haven't clinched a playoff spot. While other teams are already winning their divisions and securing a spot in the postseason, the purple and gold are still grinding to earn their spot.
Last week, the Vikings could have earned a spot in the playoffs but needed a complicated number of other things to happen around the league that didn't go Minnesota's way. Thankfully, the path to the postseason in Week 15 is much clearer for the team.
Notable NFL insider shares exciting Vikings playoff update for Week 15
On Tuesday, NFL insider Tom Pelissero shared playoff scenarios for teams on the verge of making the postseason. Some of the paths include needing help to get in but his list for the Vikings is more optimistic.
Here are the teams that can clinch a playoff berth in Week 15 according to Pelissero on X:
Week 15 playoff scenarios: The #Texans and #Steelers are among the teams that can clinch their playoff spots. pic.twitter.com/jChfsUb3sD
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 10, 2024
Although the ceiling for the Vikings is still the NFC North title, they will likely need to defeat the Detroit Lions in the final week of the season to accomplish that goal. But getting the floor to be a Wild Card berth would be huge for Minnesota.
In order to secure a spot in the playoffs, the purple and gold need to beat the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. With that, they need the Los Angeles Rams to lose to or tie the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football and the Seattle Seahawks to lose or tie against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.
While Minnesota still needs help to secure a playoff spot, they still control their own destiny when talking about the postseason. However, the rest of the Vikings' schedule isn't a walk in the park after playing the Bears this week since they will face the 8-5 Seahawks, 9-4 Packers, and 12-1 Lions in the final three weeks of the season.
This team still feels like it is destined to have a spot in the postseason. Whether you believe in quarterback Sam Darnold or not, this team has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball and has been finding ways to consistently win close games.
Only four weeks remain in the 2024 NFL season's regular-season schedule. Every game will have huge implications heading into the playoffs and the Minnesota Vikings need to make sure they secure their spot in the postseason.