Vikings Move to No. 7 Seed with 3 Games Left

5. Los Angeles Rams (10-4)

Remaining foes’ combined records: 23-19

Opponents’ win percentage: .548

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 99 percent

Status: The Rams have rallied back from three straight losses with three straight wins and have also made it a race for the NFC West. Arizona holds the tiebreaker based on division record, but Los Angeles could end up hosting a first-round playoff game if things go the Rams way. Los Angeles visits Minnesota in Week 16 in a big test for both teams.

6. San Francisco 49ers (8-6)

Remaining foes’ combined records: 21-21

Opponents’ win percentage: .500

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 81 percent

Status: The 49ers remained poised for a playoff spot, as San Francisco has won six of its past eight games. It will be tough for the Vikings to catch the 49ers based on San Francisco’s head-to-head win, which means Minnesota is like playing for the seventh seed.

7. Minnesota Vikings (7-7)

Remaining foes’ combined records: 25-17

Opponents’ win percentage: .595

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 29 percent

Status: The Vikings will be in with three straight wins, but Minnesota will have to earn its way into the dance. The Rams and Packers both have double-digit victories already in 2021, and a depleted Bears team hung tough at Soldier Field on Monday. Brace for anything with these Vikings, who have played one-possession games in 13 of 14 contests this season. The wild ride should continue over these next few weeks.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (7-7)

Remaining foes’ combined records: 20-22

Opponents’ win percentage: .476

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 36 percent

Status: Here come the Eagles, who have won four of five to position themselves as Wild Card contenders down the stretch. Philadelphia has relied on a bruising rushing attack, as the Eagles have recorded 175-plus rushing yards in seven straight games. The Vikings will be in if the teams finish with the same record, but given Minnesota’s tougher slate, they would like at least one Philadelphia loss down the stretch.

9. New Orleans Saints (7-7)

Remaining foes’ combined records: 18-24

Opponents’ win percentage: .429

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 45 percent

Status: The Saints pulled off an impressive feat Sunday night as they shut out a Tom Brady-led offense for the first time since 2006. New Orleans isn’t in a playoff spot at the moment, but it’s in a much better spot than before the weekend. The Saints are a team to watch, as they don’t play a team with a winning record down the stretch, although the red-hot Dolphins have won six straight games.

10. Washington Football Team (6-8)

Remaining foes’ combined records: 21-21

Opponents’ win percentage: .500

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 9 percent

Status: Washington’s loss Tuesday night meant Minnesota stayed the seventh seed for now. Washington put up a fight against Philadelphia on the road, but was undermanned in key places, especially quarterback. Washington now needs to win out and hope for some help. Regardless, the Vikings will certainly be pulling for the Football Team in its Week 17 rematch with the Eagles.

11. Atlanta Falcons (6-8)

Remaining foes’ combined records: 17-24-1

Opponents’ win percentage: .417

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 2 percent

Status: The Falcons faltered in a big way Sunday, scoring just one touchdown on five trips inside the red zone. Atlanta can ill afford another loss down the stretch against a stingy schedule. The Lions are playing with confidence and both the Bills and Saints have playoff hopes with three games left.

12. Carolina Panthers (5-9)

Remaining foes’ combined records: 27-15

Opponents’ win percentage: .643

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Less than 0.1 percent

Status: Carolina’s freefall continued with a blowout loss against Buffalo. A Panthers teams that started 3-0 has managed just two wins since and will be knocked out of playoff contention with a loss or tie in Week 16. Carolina will host a Tampa Bay team that surely will be in a surly mood.

13. Seattle Seahawks (5-9)

Remaining foes’ combined records: 16-25-1

Opponents’ win percentage: .393

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Less than 0.1 percent

Status: The Seahawks playoff hopes all but ended with Tuesday night’s loss to the Rams. Seattle now needs to win out and hope for numerous crazy scenarios, but it appears the Seahawks will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

14. New York Giants (4-10)

Remaining foes’ combined records: 17-25

Opponents’ win percentage: .405

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Eliminated from playoff contention

Status: The Giants scored just six points in a Week 15 loss to the Cowboys and were promptly eliminated from playoff contention. New York last made the postseason in 2016. The Vikings will still be rooting for the Giants, however, especially with games against the Eagles and Washington.

Remaining foes’ combined records: 16-26

Opponents’ win percentage: .381

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Eliminated from playoff contention

Status: The Bears couldn’t get out of their own way Monday night, racking up almost 100 yards in penalties and failing to find the end zone until the final play of the game. Chicago was without numerous starters but still gave an inconsistent Minnesota team multiple problems. The Bears final three games should be about the future, which includes the development of Justin Fields.

16. Detroit Lions (2-11-1)

Remaining foes’ combined records: 22-20

Opponents’ win percentage: .524

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Eliminated from playoff contention

Status: How about the Lions, who pulled off perhaps the most shocking win of the season in Week 15? And Detroit didn’t just squeak by against Arizona either, as that game was in hand for most of the contest. Dan Campbell has his team playing hard as the 2021 season nears its conclusion.