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Minnesota Vikings Playoff Clinching Scenarios – Week 15

Originally posted on Minnesota Sports Fan
By Ezra Greenman | Last updated Dec 10, 2024 7:29 PM ET

The 11-2 Minnesota Vikings are set to take the field on Monday Night Football this week with a great chance to lock in a playoff spot in front of their home crowd. In fact, they might even have their ticket punched for them before the game against the Bears is set to kickoff.

The Vikings had a shot at locking in a playoff spot in week 14 against Atlanta. They handled business against the Falcons, but things did not fall into place with the other games throughout the NFC that Minnesota needed. This week, however the path to clinching looks a whole lot more likely.

How can the Minnesota Vikings clinch a playoff spot vs the Chicago Bears?

The Minnesota Vikings’ most obvious path to securing a playoff spot this week is clear: win. A victory over the Chicago Bears at home on Monday night would guarantee their place in the postseason.

However, the Vikings could already have their playoff spot locked in by the time they play on Monday night. All they would need is for one of two things to happen: either the Rams lose to the 49ers on Thursday Night Football, or the Seahawks fall to the Packers on Sunday Night Football.

The #Vikings can officially clinch a playoff berth in week 15 with any of these following outcomes occurring (eliminated ties):

1) #Rams loss to #49ers on TNF OR

2) #Seahawks loss to #Packers on SNF OR

3) #Vikings win against #Bears pic.twitter.com/oxqL29jQzO
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) December 10, 2024

One would think that there is a good chance for at least one of those two teams to lose, which would lock in a Vikings playoff spot before Monday night. But if that does not happen, the Vikings will have the chance to clinch their playoff berth with the Minnesota faithful cheering them on at home.

The Vikings also have a real shot at locking in the 6th seed this week at the lowest, and honestly, it is more simple than most would expect. Here is what needs to happen:

Vikings beat the Bears
Saints beat Washington

If those two things happen, the Minnesota Vikings will lock in at least the 6th seed. With plenty of football left Minnesota is pushing for the #1 seed, but as Coach Kevin O’Connell always says they will be trying to go 1-0 this week.

This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.

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