The Minnesota Vikings continue to surprise experts and analysts who expected them to be among the worst teams in the league this year. Their 12-2 record through 15 weeks is impressive and has already earned them a spot in the playoffs.
However, the Vikings still have a lot of important football to play this season. The NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the conference are still within reach as long as Minnesota can run the table and end the season with three consecutive wins.
Finishing the season with three consecutive wins will be a huge challenge for the Vikings. First, they need to hit the road and take on the 8-6 Seattle Seahawks who are still fighting for the NFC West crown. Then, they will host the 10-4 Green Bay Packers, a team that is getting hot and healthy at the right time. Finally, Minnesota would need to travel to Detroit and knock off the 12-2 Lions to complete the job.
Predicting the Vikings' final record with 3 games left in 2024
The Minnesota Vikings are on a seven-game winning streak following their Week 15 win over the Chicago Bears. They have some great momentum going and are playing great football in all three phases of the game.
Let's take a look at the three remaining games and how they could go.
Week 16: Vikings @ Seahawks - WIN
The Seahawks are dealing with an injured Geno Smith, who might be able to suit up for Sunday's game. If he can, he won't be 100 percent. If he can't, Sam Howell will likely be Seattle's quarterback for this game.
Either way, the Vikings defense should be able to feast. Seattle still has enough talent to put up a good fight, but they should come up short in the end and fall to a surging Minnesota team earning their eighth straight win.
Week 17: Packers @ Vikings - LOSS
Getting back to U.S. Bank Stadium will be great for the Vikings, but the Packers will be hungry to prove they are still one of the best teams in the league and do what they can to get the best possible position in the postseason.
A division foe that is getting healthy at the right time, this should be a great back-and-forth game where Minnesota comes up short. Sweeping Green Bay in a season is a huge challenge and hasn't been done since 2017.
Week 18: Vikings @ Lions - LOSS
With the division and the conference no longer obtainable, the Vikings face a Detroit Lions team that needs to beat Minnesota to get that first-round bye. Detroit is an excellent team and although they are dealing with significant injuries, they will push Minnesota to the limit.
It would hurt to drop two consecutive games heading into the playoffs, but finishing the season 13-4 would still be a huge accomplishment. Sadly, that does mean the Minnesota Vikings would have to hit the road in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, but the purple and gold will be ready for that challenge.