The NFC playoff picture is far from fully developed, with the NFL calendar steamrolling through Week 11. But some teams are beginning to separate themselves from the pack.
The Minnesota Vikings, after dropping two straight games last month, have won three games in a row. Only one other NFC team has more wins than the Vikings’ eight.
So, where does that put the Vikings in the NFC playoff picture? Let’s take a closer look.
Can the Vikings Make the Playoffs?
After all the action in Week 11, the Minnesota Vikings are 8-2 and now have a 94.8% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 20.9% chance for the 1 seed, a 5.2% chance for the second seed, a 1.3% chance for the third seed, a 0.0% chance for the fourth seed, a 38.8% chance for the fifth seed, a 20.4% chance for the sixth seed, and an 8.1% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Vikings Win the NFC North?
Here’s what the NFC North race looks like after all the Sunday action in Week 11:
- The Detroit Lions have a 67.2% chance to win the NFC North.
- The Minnesota Vikings have a 27.5% chance to win the NFC North.
- The Green Bay Packers have a 5.4% chance to win the NFC North.
- The Chicago Bears have a 0.0% chance to win the NFC North.
Current NFC North Standings
- Detroit Lions (9-1)
- Minnesota Vikings (8-2)
- Green Bay Packers (7-3)
- Chicago Bears (4-6)
Vikings’ Super Bowl Chances After Week 11
Can the Vikings win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Minnesota has a 5.9% chance to win it all.
Vikings’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 12: at Chicago Bears
- Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals
- Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons
- Week 15: vs. Chicago Bears
- Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks
- Week 17: vs. Green Bay Packers
- Week 18: at Detroit Lions
What PFN Predicted for the Vikings vs. Titans
Up next for the Vikings is another date with an AFC South opponent as they travel to Nashville for a bout with the Tennessee Titans. It marks the third consecutive week the Vikings have faced a team from the AFC South.
Minnesota is undefeated against the other AFC South teams, and a clean sweep of the division would give the Vikings an 8-2 record with only seven games to play. Aside from left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who was lost for the season in the team’s Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Vikings are relatively healthy and poised for a second-half run that will have them challenging for the NFC’s pole position in the playoffs.
To extend their current winning streak to three games, the Vikings will focus on ball security and red-zone offense. Last week against the Jaguars, the Vikings turned the ball over three times and went 0-5 in the red zone.
Tennessee is mired in a 2-7 campaign in head coach Ryan Callahan’s debut season. Substandard play from the quarterback position has led to offensive inefficiency and is spoiling what could’ve been an impressive season from a defense that features talented playmakers at every level.
On offense, Will Levis is expected to start at quarterback. He started Tennessee’s first five games of the season but then was replaced by veteran Mason Rudolph due to injury. Albeit in a loss, Levis’ performance yielded optimism going forward as he went 18 of 23 for 175 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against a vaunted Los Angeles Chargers defense.
Defensively, the Titans may be without their top cornerback — L’Jarius Sneed — as they face the NFL’s best receiver in Justin Jefferson. Aside from Sneed, though, the Titans should have a full complement of defensive starters, which includes star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
The Vikings are currently listed as six-point favorites and the total for the game is posted at 39.5.
PFN Prediction: Vikings 23, Titans 10