Will the Vikings make the playoffs?

[Mothman]

Oh I think so for sure. NFC is somewhat down this year. At least not as strong as last year. I dont want to speak too soon but (knock on wood) it would be awfully hard for us to miss the playoffs this year given who is behind us and who they have left on their schedule. The Panthers have the Saints, Falcons and Saints. And the Eagles have the Rams, Texans and Redskins (win). The tie is also helping us right now.

Oddly enough, the tie is working in their favor right now. The Vikes are going to have to work hard to miss the playoffs and they'll have to out-work the the Panthers, Eagles and Redskins, who are all trying pretty hard to blow their own chances!

[YikesVikes]

Just want to add that Giants are still an outside shot to make playoffs and we could still win division.

[YikesVikes]

Just want to add that Giants are still an outside shot to make playoffs and we could still win division.

[YikesVikes]

Don't count skins out either. The Switch to Josh Johnson netted them 16 points and the offense started moving the ball. They may have something there.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Oh I think so for sure. NFC is somewhat down this year. At least not as strong as last year. I dont want to speak too soon but (knock on wood) it would be awfully hard for us to miss the playoffs this year given who is behind us and who they have left on their schedule. The Panthers have the Saints, Falcons and Saints. And the Eagles have the Rams, Texans and Redskins (win). The tie is also helping us right now.

Oddly enough, the tie is working in their favor right now. The Vikes are going to have to work hard to miss the playoffs and they'll have to out-work the the Panthers, Eagles and Redskins, who are all trying pretty hard to blow their own chances!

Right. The Redskins are pretty much dead in the water at this point. I just dont see them possibly winning a game with Sanchez. They are better off going with Josh Johnson but who knows. Carolina losing to the Browns makes it very hard to believe they will beat the Saints either time unless they are sitting players

[Mothman]

Right. The Redskins are pretty much dead in the water at this point. I just dont see them possibly winning a game with Sanchez. They are better off going with Josh Johnson but who knows. Carolina losing to the Browns makes it very hard to believe they will beat the Saints either time unless they are sitting players

It looks like the real question is whether the Vikes step up and seize the opportunity in front of them or if they join these other teams in "fighting" to blow a playoff spot. We'll learn more tonight.

[mansquatch]

I really hope that we can get in. Vikes are in the driver's seat right now, but they can't afford a loss tonight. Looks like we'll be a #5 or #6 seed.

This year's crop of NFC teams isn't the best. After the drubbing Chicago handed the Rams last night it looks like neither of the top two NFC seeds are that much ahead of the rest of the pack. I think there will be at least two pretenders among this year's crop of playoff teams.

The Bear's D should scare everyone at this point. I do not see either the Rams or the Saints getting past that defense unless Trubisky gives the game away. Dallas is the team that probably is best situated to beat the Bears, but they won't play them until the NFFCG.

Should be a fun playoffs.

[allday1991]

I really hope that we can get in. Vikes are in the driver's seat right now, but they can't afford a loss tonight. Looks like we'll be a #5 or #6 seed.

This year's crop of NFC teams isn't the best. After the drubbing Chicago handed the Rams last night it looks like neither of the top two NFC seeds are that much ahead of the rest of the pack. I think there will be at least two pretenders among this year's crop of playoff teams.

The Bear's D should scare everyone at this point. I do not see either the Rams or the Saints getting past that defense unless Trubisky gives the game away. Dallas is the team that probably is best situated to beat the Bears, but they won't play them until the NFFCG.

Should be a fun playoffs.

The big kicker for the bears will be playing the rams or saints at home in there dome. Sure there defence held up at solider field however dont think the same would happen at the rams or saints home. Also really doudt we see bears vs cowboys for the nfcc.

[PacificNorseWest]

Everyone lost yesterday that is in the WC hunt. It looks like even if Minnesota loses tonight, they'll still be in the 6 spot. A win tonight would be huge, but no longer looks like it's do or die. I think they win though, so it'll be a moot point.

[Mothman]

The big kicker for the bears will be playing the rams or saints at home in there dome. Sure there defence held up at solider field however dont think the same would happen at the rams or saints home. Also really doudt we see bears vs cowboys for the nfcc.

If the Saints end up securing HFA throughout the NFC playoffs, I think it will be very difficult to keep them from reaching the Super Bowl.

[mansquatch]

Look what our Defense did to the Saints offense when they were up here. We held them to 14 points, the rest came off of our coaching staff (3) and Offensive Turnovers (14.) The Saints are far from being a juggernaut.

The risk for Chicago is if Trubisky gives the game away. If the Rams had gotten even one of those picks into the end zone on the return it likely would have changed the outcome of the game. The Bears are not the same team without a lead.

It pains me to say this, but don't count out the Cowboys. Behind Chicago and us, they will have 3rd best defense in the NFC Playoffs and they will boast the best rushing attack.

Here is a crazy thought: If the Vikings get to the Playoffs they will likely have the 2nd best QB (No, Goff is not better) and the 2nd best Defense.... If they can get in.

[MikethePurple]

The big kicker for the bears will be playing the rams or saints at home in there dome. Sure there defence held up at solider field however dont think the same would happen at the rams or saints home. Also really doudt we see bears vs cowboys for the nfcc.
[/quote]

I would agree with you. After watching much of the game last night I don't think the Bears made as statement of a win as many are hyping it to be. They have a very good defense, better than the Vikes this year, and some of the struggles the Rams had were because of the Bears good defense, but the Rams also made numerous stupid mistakes. As well as the baffling decision to not utilize Gurley very much throughout the game. Trubisky was awful and so was Goff. It was pretty sloppy on offense from both teams, although Cohen looked phenomenal! I'm not trying to take credit away from the Bears defense because they forced some of those mistakes, but many of them were mental errors from the Rams offense as well. The Rams did not put their best foot forward and the Bears benefited from that fact. The cold definitely seemed to be a factor in Goff's poor performance and given the likelihood that the playoffs will go through either LA or New Orleans I doubt we see the Bears have that same significant home field advantage as we saw last night.

[Mothman]

Look what our Defense did to the Saints offense when they were up here. We held them to 14 points, the rest came off of our coaching staff (3) and Offensive Turnovers (14.)The Saints are far from being a juggernaut.

I don't think New Orleans is a juggernaut either but the Vikings defense didn't actually hold them to 14 points and even if they had, we both know games aren't determined by how many points a defense allows after points resulting from turnovers, returns, coaching decisions, etc. are conveniently whittled away. As a team, the Saints put 30 points up on the Vikings and won decisively.

Anyway, my point was that the Saints would be a tough out at home. They haven't lost at home since a wild loss to the Bucs in week 1. I think they will be very difficult to beat there in the postseason (difficult, not impossible), which is why I specifically mentioned home field advantage. Like most teams, they'd probably be more vulnerable to defeat on the road.

The risk for Chicago is if Trubisky gives the game away. If the Rams had gotten even one of those picks into the end zone on the return it likely would have changed the outcome of the game.

I agree but it's worth noting how turnovers by the Bears offense didn't automatically equate to points for the Rams. This is why I sometimes object when Vikings fans want to rationalize away points allowed by the defense because they followed a turnover, return, etc. Even when put in a bad position, it's not impossible for a defense to prevent a turnover from leading to a TD or, in some cases, even a FG. I don't think Vikes fans should be so willing to give the defense as pass when they're put in a tough situation and allow a TD.

It pains me to say this, but don't count out the Cowboys. Behind Chicago and us, they will have 3rd best defense in the NFC Playoffs and they will boast the best rushing attack.

Here is a crazy thought: If the Vikings get to the Playoffs they will likely have the 2nd best QB (No, Goff is not better) and the 2nd best Defense.... If they can get in.

Did you forget about Wilson?

Statistically, the Dallas defense actually ranks ahead of the Vikings now and they're neck and neck with the Bears in primary categories like points and yards allowed per game. They definitely shouldn't be counted out and if they keep playing well, they might have the best-ranked defense in the conference by the time the playoffs begin. That team is on a roll.

[PacificNorseWest]

2nd best QB is subjective. And I agree, Moth...where's Wilson? It could be argued that Cousins would be the 4th best, even behind Goff. Just depends on how you judge QB's overall.

[soflavike]

I think it looks pretty grim.

Seattle on the road is a tough game. Seattle has been hot, and the Vikes aren't.

Miami is not a push-over. They just gave the Patriots a reminder of that. Winnable game, though.

Detroit is a classic trap game... but I think the Vikes can win there.

Then there is the finale against the Bears. If we win the prior three games, we're in good shape. If we need this game to get in, I think we're done. The Bears defense against our OL is a major mismatch.

I give us a 30% of chance of making the playoffs. Have to beat the Seahawks.