James Conner #6 of the Arizona Cardinals is tackled during the first quarter of a game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ((Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images))
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings are at the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday looking to extend their win streak to eight games and improve to 13-2 on the season.
With three regular season games to play, the Vikings control their own destiny not only in the NFC North Division, but for the No. 1 seed in the NFC Playoffs.
Harrison Smith inactive due to foot injury
Harrison Smith a game time decision?: Jay Glazer with the FOX NFL Sunday crew said Vikings’ veteran safety Harrison Smith was a true game time decision against the Seahawks. He’s been dealing with a foot injury and did not practice on Thursday. He was a limited participant on Friday. The Vikings declared him inactive 90 minutes before kickoff.
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Vikings control their destiny in NFC with 3 games left
The Minnesota Vikings are 12-2, have won 7 straight and control their own destiny in the NFC Playoffs with 3 games to go. Aaron Jones, Harrison Phillips, C.J. Ham and Garrett Bradbury spoke from the locker room at TCO Performance Center on Wednesday.
Why it matters: Smith is the longest-tenured Vikings’ player on the roster. He has 79 tackles and two interceptions in 14 starts. He’s a steadying presence in the secondary. It'll be the first game he's missed since the 2022 regular season finale, when the Vikings rested starters with their playoff seed already determined.
Stephon Gilmore returns
Defensive back Stephon Gilmore has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, but is set to return against the Seahawks. He returned to practice this week and told reporters he’ll be playing.
Why it matters: The Vikings signed Gilmore during training camp and in his 13th NFL season, he has 47 tackles and one interception in 12 starts.
Darnold continues to dominate
Sam Darnold is playing the best football of his career, and gets another tough test Sunday at Lumen Field against a stingy Seahawks’ defense.
Why it matters: Darnold has thrown for more than 3,500 yards, a career-high 29 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions. He has 11 touchdown passes and just one interception over the last five games.
Race for the NFC North title
The latest: The Vikings are 12-2 and have won seven straight games, They’ll have to finish ahead of the Detroit Lions to win the NFC North title, and the Lions are facing the Chicago Bears in the noon window on Sunday. If the Lions lose and the Vikings win, Minnesota would have the lead in the division with two regular season games left.
The Vikings play Detroit at Ford Field to close out the regular season. The winner of the NFC North like earns the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, a first round bye and home field until the Super Bowl.