Before they even took the field to face the Chicago Bears on Monday, the Minnesota Vikings already knew they were going to be participating in this season's playoffs. Still, the Vikings made sure to keep themselves in the races for the top of the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the NFC by getting a win over the stumbling Bears.
With the victory, Minnesota now has a 12-2 record, and despite the Detroit Lions also having a 12-2 record heading into Week 16, the Vikings are still second in the NFC North since they lost to the Lions back in Week 7.
However, if Minnesota wins each of the final three games on its 2024 regular-season schedule, including a Week 18 matchup with the Lions, then they will win the NFC North and enter the playoffs with the opportunity to play at least one postseason game inside their home stadium.
NFL Playoff Picture after the Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears in Week 15
Below is what the updated playoff pictures for the NFC and AFC look like after the Vikings' victory over Chicago and the result of Monday's other game between the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders.
NFC Playoff Standings
1. Detroit Lions (12-2)*
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-2)*
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6)*
4. Los Angeles Rams (8-6)*
5. Minnesota Vikings (12-2)
6. Green Bay Packers (10-4)
7. Washington Commanders (9-5)
* = Division Leader
In the Hunt
8. Seattle Seahawks (8-6)
9. Atlanta Falcons (7-7)
10. Arizona Cardinals (7-7)
11. San Francisco 49ers (6-8)
12. Dallas Cowboys (6-8)
13. New Orleans Saints (5-9)
First-Round Matchups if the Playoffs Started Today
- Washington Commanders (7) at Philadelphia Eagles (2)
- Green Bay Packers (6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3)
- Minnesota Vikings (5) at Los Angeles Rams (4)
(Detroit Lions (1) would have a bye until the second round)
AFC Playoff Standings
1. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)*
2. Buffalo Bills (11-3)*
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)*
4. Houston Texans (9-5)*
5. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
6. Denver Broncos (9-5)
7. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
* = Division Leader
In the Hunt
8. Indianapolis Colts (6-8)
9. Miami Dolphins (6-8)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-8)
First-Round Matchups if the Playoffs Started Today
- Los Angeles Chargers (7) at Buffalo Bills (2)
- Denver Broncos (6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3)
- Baltimore Ravens (5) at Houston Texans (4)
(Kansas City Chiefs (1) would have a bye until the second round)