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Vikings Make Unfortunate NFL Playoff History After Blowout Loss to Lions

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan Adams | Last updated Jan 6, 2025 12:04 AM ET

The Minnesota Vikings are making NFL playoff history, but not the kind the franchise would prefer. Minnesota's 31-9 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 18 means the Vikings will miss out on the No. 1 seed in the NFC as well as a bye.

Despite the 14-3 record, the Vikings' potential path to the Super Bowl just got a lot harder. Minnesota's loss dropped the Vikings down to the No. 5 seed.

The Vikings will go on the road to take on the No. 4 Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 13. Minnesota is making unfortunate NFL history as the first team with a 14-3 record to play a road playoff game.

NFL rules dictate that the division champs earn the top four seeds. This means that the 10-7 Rams will host the Vikings despite Minnesota having a better record. Los Angeles earned the No. 4 seed by winning the NFC West.

You are looking at the first ever 14-3 road playoff team

Vikings will head to LA to play the Rams pic.twitter.com/LkOpyuXshC
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 6, 2025

The Rams open as a 1-point favorite versus the Vikings, per Action Network. Minnesota will be out to prove that the team is closer to the dominant squad fans witnessed throughout the regular season, and not the one that laid an egg versus the Lions.

Vikings fans winning 14 games just to be the NFC 5 seed and go on the road: pic.twitter.com/4k9LNOJV4i
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) January 6, 2025

Even if the Vikings advance in the NFL playoffs, there is a good chance that Minnesota will not host a postseason game despite the team's stellar record.

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

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