Playoffs?!

[akvikingsfan]

Like I do every year around this time, I will make a post about how the Vikings could make the playoffs. Thats not to say I think it's possible, I am simply outlining what could happen to get them there. The following are the teams that matter based on current standings, their remaining schedules, and the outcomes needed for each game.

Vikings 5-7
Jets - W
Lions - W
Dolphins - W
Bears - W
Final: 9-7 (7-5 Conference)

Lions 8-4
Bucs _ L
Vikings - L
Bears - L
Packers - L
Final: 8-8 (the lions have to finish with a lower record than us because they would hold the tiebreaker, division record, over us)

Cowboys 8-4
Bears - W
Eagles - L
Colts - L
Redskins - L
Final: 9-7 (6-6 Conference, really they could lose any two of the NFC games and we would be fine)

Seahawks 8-4
Eagles - L
49ers - L
Cardinals - L
Rams - L
Final: 8-8 (the Seahawks would have to lose out or they would have a better conference record and would have the tiebreaker over us)

49ers 7-5
Raiders - W
Seahawks - W
Chargers - L
Cardinals - L
Final: 9-7 (7-5 conference, not sure if we would have the tie breaker over them but that would put us tied with the 49ers for the two wildcards)

Of course there are other scenarios, this was just my first draft. Every scenario requires the Vikings to win out and go 9-7. As long as the Vikings win, I will update this post for new scenarios. I would love for the Week 17 game against the Bears to be a "win and in" game. But realistically, I do not see it happening.

****Other possible teams that are not included in this scenario are the Saints, Falcons and Bears. The Saints and Falcons play each other so one of them will win the NFC South and the other will have a worse record than us, if we win out the bears will have to lose to us so they don't matter****

[Mothman]

Of course there are other scenarios, this was just my first draft. Every scenario requires the Vikings to win out and go 9-7. As long as the Vikings win, I will update this post for new scenarios. I would love for the Week 17 game against the Bears to be a "win and in" game. But realistically, I do not see it happening.

Not if we need to win out and need Seattle and Detroit to lose out...

Nevertheless, thanks for the breakdown. Much appreciated!

[J. Kapp 11]

Wow. I know you do this annually, but this is really, really optimistic. Good for you!

I tend to be fairly on the optimistic side, but even I can't buy that we'll win out, let alone have all these other teams collapse. But honestly, I salute your optimism. I really do.

[losperros]

I also really appreciate the optimism. It's a breath of fresh air, given that some apparently want the Vikings to lose out.

That said, the Vikings have been a hot and cold team this year, which makes sense if one considers the youth and inexperience that man some of the positions.

Because of their up and down nature, I just don't see the Vikings winning out. I hope I'm wrong.

[akvikingsfan]

Wow. I know you do this annually, but this is really, really optimistic. Good for you!

I tend to be fairly on the optimistic side, but even I can't buy that we'll win out, let alone have all these other teams collapse. But honestly, I salute your optimism. I really do.

I wish I could say that I was optimistic, but really I'm not. I see about a 0% chance of it happening. I've been doing this since at least the '09 season and its only worked out the way we needed it to twice since then ('09 and '12). I have no belief that it will happen this year, just that mathematically it is still possible, at least for one more week.

[purplehaze]

I wish I could say that I was optimistic, but really I'm not. I see about a 0% chance of it happening. I've been doing this since at least the '09 season and its only worked out the way we needed it to twice since then ('09 and '12). I have no belief that it will happen this year, just that mathematically it is still possible, at least for one more week.

According to this site we have a .06% chance. http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NFL/NFC/ ... esota.html (insert dumb and dumber reference).

We can only control what we do. I see us possibly winning 3 of the last 4. Lions in Detroit is gonna be real tough.

[PacificNorseWest]

I was much more optimistic before the Bears game. I feel like they can win out with these next 4 games, but I felt a win at Chicago was crucial. It didn't happen. I can still see 9-7, but there won't be any playoffs, unfortunately. Just cheering for improvement and momentum.

[chicagopurple]

the Bears are really pitiful and could be beat, the Lions are a good team that has mastered the art of screwing up when it counts ( they are the NFC version of the Chargers). Could it happen, sure......but its likely we will drop one of the games remaining when it was in our grasp....Moreover, we would just get our butts whipped (no pun intended) with the first quality team we faced (GB, Pats, etc) so I cant get too worked up over the prospect of a meaningless play off appearance followed by a weak draft....

[PacificNorseWest]

I agree, buuutt...All the teams in the playoffs are usually quality opponents and so would the Vikings be if they reeled off 5 straight to make it in. I think if that were to happen we might feel a bit more optimistic about our Vikings.

But yeah...This is all very doubtful. We'll see how it looks in two weeks. If there's still hope then maybe I"ll cheer a bit louder.

[saint33]

I've been going over scenarios on the ESPN Playoff Machine.

Beyond winning out, basically between Detroit, Seattle, San Fran and Dallas, only one of these teams cannot choke down the stretch.

Considering Seattle and San Fran play each other, San Fran plays Oakland and Detroit plays Tampa Bay and Chicago, our chance are slim to say the least.

[saint33]

and FTR, the 49ers hold the tie breaker over us.

[saint33]

Oh and one more thing, which should put our play off hopes into perspective....

If the Lions beat Tampa Bay AND the 49ers beat Oakland next week, we are eliminated from playoff contention.

[DK Sweets]

If we make the playoffs this year, I'll let the board choose a tattoo for my face.

It will be my first tattoo and totally worth it.

[Mothman]

If we make the playoffs this year, I'll let the board choose a tattoo for my face.

It will be my first tattoo and totally worth it.

Even if the image we choose is a portrait of Aaron Rodgers in his Packers uniform?

[DK Sweets]

Even if the image we choose is a portrait of Aaron Rodgers in his Packers uniform?

Even if you choose Clay Matthews flipping his hair Baywatch style.