NFC Playoff picture: How the Vikings could be the 1, 5 or 6 seed
T.J. Hockenson: 'It's December football at its best'
Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back Aaron Jones spoke Thursday at TCO Performance Center about hosting the Green Bay Packers Sunday in game that has not only NFC North Division implications, but Minnesota is still chasing the No. 1 seed with 2 games to play.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - There are two weeks left in the NFL’s regular season, and we already know the Minnesota Vikings are in the NFC Playoffs.
What we don’t yet know is what seed they will be, who they will play and if they’ll be at U.S. Bank Stadium, or on the road. But for the second time in three seasons under Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings are involved in the postseason conversation. Three scenarios exist for the Vikings.
Win out = No. 1 seed
Why it matters: If the Vikings beat the Packers on Sunday and beat the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, they win the NFC North for the second time in three years. Their 15-2 record would be good for the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first round bye. They would also have home field advantage until the Super Bowl.
Minnesota would get much-needed rest while the Wild Card weekend unfolds. They would host an NFC Divisional playoff game in mid-January. That winner would advance to the NFC title game. The Vikings haven’t played for an NFC title on their home field since 1999. Yeah, we’re not going to relive that day.
Beat Packers, Lose to Lions = No. 5 seed
What we know: If the Vikings beat the Packers and lose to the Lions, Detroit wins the NFC North and gets the No. 1 seed. Minnesota would be the No. 5 seed, and be on the road for Wild Card Weekend, likely either at Tampa Bay or Atlanta. In the NFL playoff system, all division winners are guaranteed at least one home playoff game, regardless of record. So the reality exists that the Vikings go 14-3 and are on the road in the postseason.
If the Vikings lost to the Packers, but the Lions lose to the 49ers followed by a Vikings' win at Ford Field, Minnesota would win the NFC North. They would then likely need help from the Eagles to maintain the No. 1 seed.
Vikings lose out, Packers win out = No. 6 seed
What we know: If the Vikings lose to the Packers and Lions, and the Packers beat the Bears in Week 18, Minnesota is the No. 6 seed and Green Bay jumps to No. 5. That’s because despite having the same 13-4 record, the Packers have the tiebreaker by virtue of beating the L.A. Rams earlier this season. The Vikings lost to the Rams on Thursday Night Football. The Vikings would have one few win than the Packers over a common opponent.
If Minnesota is the No. 6 seed, that likely means a trip back to L.A. to face the Rams.
This year marks the first time in NFL history two teams in the same division have 13 wins with just two regular season weeks to play.
‘There’s no drama, everybody wants to win’
What the players are saying: Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Sam Darnold spoke with reporters after Thursday’s practice at TCO Performance Center. It was a day where Harrison Smith (foot) and Ivan Pace Jr. (hamstring) both returned, and both could play Sunday.
All three talked the Vikings being 13-2, hosting the rival Packers and staying present with the NFC North title two wins away.
Jefferson: "The main thing is everybody is together, everybody is fighting for one another. There’s no bickering, there’s no complaining, there’s no drama that’s going on. Everybody wants to win."
Hockenson: "It’s December football at its best. We’re trying to go 1-0 this week, that’s what they’re trying to do to. It’s going to be a big match-up."
Darnold: "It’s awesome to be able to run into Packers’ fans. I’m not going to lie, they’re nice and everything, but when you start to talk about football, they’re not shy about speaking their mind about who they think the better team us. It’s just fun, it makes the game more fun, it’s the reason we play."