After losing their previous four games, the Minnesota Vikings emphatically returned to the win column with a dominating 31-0 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
While the win was impressive, the Vikings still have a 5-8 record, which means that a spot in the playoffs is still highly unlikely. With only four games left on their schedule, Minnesota will need to take care of its own business and hope to get a ton of help from multiple teams if the postseason is going to become a reality for them.
NFC Playoff Standings after Week 14
1. Los Angeles Rams (10-3)
2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
7. Chicago Bears (9-4)
8. Detroit Lions (8-5)
9. Carolina Panthers (7-6)
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
11. Minnesota Vikings (5-8)
Updated NFC playoff picture not any prettier for Minnesota Vikings after Week 14 win
According to ESPN's latest projections following all of Sunday's games, the Vikings currently have a less than one percent chance to make the playoffs (that's all Lloyd Christmas needs to hear, though).
Minnesota's path to the playoffs this year has one huge requirement: they absolutely have to win each of the final four games on their schedule. If the Vikings lose at all during the next four weeks, the 2025 postseason will not be in their future.
In addition to Minnesota needing to win its next four games, they also need the Chicago Bears to go 0-4, the Detroit Lions to go 1-3 by losing their next three matchups and winning their season finale against the Bears, in addition to the Carolina Panthers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers finishing with a 9-8 record or worse, and if either ends the season with a 9-8 record, one has to have a worse record against common opponents than the Vikings.
So, yes, Minnesota does still have a chance at making the 2025 playoffs, but it's very unlikely with only four games left in the regular season.
For now, Vikings fans should just focus on one week at a time before anyone gets their hopes up.
First up is Week 15, where Minnesota needs a win, a Bears loss, and a Lions loss at the very least to stay alive in the postseason race. Detroit is on the road against the Los Angeles Rams, and Chicago is hosting the three-win Cleveland Browns.