I don't get it.....

[Boon]

How didn't we clinch a spot today? Atl is 7-7 and we're 9-5. Even if they win out and we lose out, which makes us tied, we beat them in week 12. Someone enlighten me as to why atl is still in it? I thought head to head is always the first tiebreaker?

[PurpleMustReign]

How didn't we clinch a spot today? Atl is 7-7 and we're 9-5. Even if they win out and we lose out, which makes us tied, we beat them in week 12. Someone enlighten me as to why atl is still in it? I thought head to head is always the first tiebreaker?

It has to do with a three way tie thing. There is a post about it elsewhere on the board.

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[dead_poet]

If the Vikings were to wind up in 3-way tie with ATL and SEA at 9-7, they'd lose out on strength of victory. Head to head gets thrown out with three teams.

[Purple Reign]

If the Vikings were to wind up in 3-way tie with ATL and SEA at 9-7, they'd lose out on strength of victory. Head to head gets thrown out with three teams.

Actually head to head does not get thrown out. If one of the 3 teams sweeps the other 2 then they win the tie breaker. If we had beaten Seattle then we would win the tie breaker since we also beat Atlanta.

[Raptorman]

If the Vikings were to wind up in 3-way tie with ATL and SEA at 9-7, they'd lose out on strength of victory. Head to head gets thrown out with three teams.

Although, you have to believe that the Falcons are going to beat the Panthers next week. Remember, the Panthers have not locked up the number 1 seed yet. They have to win next week to do that. AZ can still take that number one seed if the Panthers lose the next two and the Cards win the next two.

[Purple Reign]

Although, you have to believe that the Falcons are going to beat the Panthers next week. Remember, the Panthers have not locked up the number 1 seed yet. They have to win next week to do that. AZ can still take that number one seed if the Panthers lose the next two and the Cards win the next two.

I am assuming that you meant the Falcons aren't going to beat the Panthers.

[Raptorman]

I am assuming that you meant the Falcons aren't going to beat the Panthers.

No, for a three way tie the Falcons have to beat the Panthers. So, unless that happens, the Vikings are in. At this point in time, only the Falcons can knock the Vikings out of the playoffs.

[PurpleMustReign]

I can see Atlanta winning that game. The game is in Atlanta. I am glad Carolina hasn't sewn up home field. Hopefully Cam keeps his MVP like season going.

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[Barry]

If the Vikings were to wind up in 3-way tie with ATL and SEA at 9-7, they'd lose out on strength of victory. Head to head gets thrown out with three teams.

I had the same question, thanks for the info.

[akvikingsfan]

At this point, no other team matters. If the Vikings win next week they're in. Of course there's the scenario where they get in with a Falcons loss. But they can also get in with a Seahawks win. However, the only one I care about is the Vikings getting in by winning.

[Mothman]

At this point, no other team matters. If the Vikings win next week they're in. Of course there's the scenario where they get in with a Falcons loss. But they can also get in with a Seahawks win. However, the only one I care about is the Vikings getting in by winning.

Same here and that's how I want them to get in anyway: by winning their way in, not by backing in because of a loss by another team.

[Canuck]

So if Seattle wins next week the Vikings are in no matter what right.

[dead_poet]

So if Seattle wins next week the Vikings are in no matter what right.

Yep. It's deciphered here pretty well: http://www.dailynorseman.com/2015/12/21 ... f-scenario

Once again, the only scenario that keeps the Vikings out of the playoffs is as follows:

-Two Minnesota losses, AND
-Two Seattle losses, AND
-Two Atlanta wins

Which means that they get into the playoffs with:

-One Minnesota win, OR
-One Seattle win, OR
-One Atlanta loss

Hopefully that clarifies why it is that, while the Vikings are 99% into the post-season picture at this point, there's still that little bit of chance that they won't get there. I don't know about you, but I think we can safely project the Vikings to make the post-season tournament.

[Canuck]

Yep. It's deciphered here pretty well: http://www.dailynorseman.com/2015/12/21 ... f-scenario

Awesome thank you!

[John_Viveiros]

Well, chances are we are "backing in" to the playoffs. The early game features the Panthers and the Falcons, and if the Falcons lose, we're in. If the Falcons pull off the monumental upset, then the 3 pm (CST) game with the Seahawks and the Rams can put us in with a Seahawks win (not too unlikely). So to me, the chance we are already in the playoffs by game time is about 90%.

And if the Packers lose to the Cardinals at the same time as the Seahawks win and maybe Washington loses, it sets up this weird scenario where the game against the Giants has no playoff implications at all. The Seahawks win means that the #5 slot isn't available to us. It's either #6 or the division and it all depends on week 17. A Packers loss guarantees that a loss by the Vikes still allows us to play for the division in week 17.

And applying Murphy's law, the fact that they flexed the game to Sunday night almost guarantees that it will have no playoff implications!