What if we told you that we could turn Minnesota’s 3% chance to make the playoffs into something a bit more digestible? Say, something like 10% or 15%?
That’s not how odds work so we’re sorry to pop that bubble immediately, but we have scoured the internet in search of every slice of hope that could help fulfill Minnesota’s wish list, which includes a Packers loss, Seahawks loss and either a Buccaneers or Saints loss. If all of those happen and the Vikings beat the Lions, voilà, the Vikings are in the playoffs.
Let’s go game by game in search of reasons why the Packers, Seahawks and Bucs or Saints could lose.
12 p.m. Sunday: Falcons at Saints
Atlanta heads into Sunday knowing a win is their only path into the playoffs. The Saints are 3-point favorites and have won three of their past five games while Atlanta, losers of three of their last five, are coming off a 20-point beatdown by the Bears.
The last time these two teams played Atlanta won 24-15 off the back of a 228-yard rushing game. They’ll need to do that again Sunday if they have a hope of pulling out the win. Rookie running back Bijan Robinson needs just 52 yards to break 1,000 yards rushing and last time out against New Orleans he rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Speaking of running games, the Saints’ could be in a bit of a pickle with Alvin Kamara missing the first two days of practice this week with an ankle injury he picked up in Sunday’s win over the Bucs. If Kamara can’t go, New Orleans will have to rely on Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller, who have a combined 363 rushing yards this season.
12 p.m. Sunday: Buccaneers at Panthers
If the Saints lose to the Falcons this game won’t matter, but it certainly won’t hurt if the Bucs lose. Unfortunately, the Bucs are favored by 4.5 points despite being on the road.
The good news here is that Carolina ALMOST won in Tampa, falling 21-18 back on Dec. 3. They trailed 21-18 and had the ball with under four minutes to go when rookie QB Bryce Young passed deep to Adam Thielen and was intercepted by Antoine Winfield Jr.
Not only is Carolina playing better football since Frank Reich was fired after 11 games (yes, we know they got shutout 26-0 last week), but they will be playing against a Tampa team that won’t have Baker Mayfield at 100% health. Mayfield says he’ll do everything he can to play through “tender” and “sore” ribs.
3:25 p.m. Sunday: Bears at Packers
The Packers enter the final week of the season looking for a chance to sneak into the playoffs as they host an NFC North rival that was recently eliminated. Where have we heard this storyline before? Oh right, just last year. Now last year’s Lions and this year’s Bears are on different trajectories but you can’t say Green Bay’s 20-16 loss to the Lions in Week 18, AT HOME, won’t be living rent free in Packers players’ and fans’ heads this weekend.
The Bears enter Lambeau Field this weekend winners of four of their last five and five of their last seven behind one of the league’s better defenses. Chicago boast the best run defense and an NFL-leading 22 interceptions.
Jordan Love, who lit up the Vikings last weekend, won’t find things as easy this weekend as he did at U.S. Bank Stadium. Green Bay has the 28th ranked run defense and are taking on a Bears squad fielding the best running attack in the league.
Packers’ top corner Jaire Alexander may be returning from his one-game suspension but that might not be as good of a thing as one would think. Alexander sports a 68.5 coverage grade this season while QBs throwing his way have a 131.9 rating – and he’ll be tasked with trying to slow down Bears receiver DJ Moore, who was just snubbed for the Pro Bowl.
3:25 p.m. Sunday: Seahawks at Cardinals
Look no further than Arizona’s upset win over the Eagles last Sunday to spark hope in this one. Seattle is desperate but playing on the road against a Cardinals team that can be the ultimate spoiler despite being a 3-point home underdog.
Injuries could also favor the Cards as Seattle’s starting right tackle Abraham Lucas is dealing with a bothersome knee while three defensive players could miss the game: starting linebacker Jordyn Brooks, starting nose tackle Jarran Reed and backup defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. All of those players did not practice on Thursday.
Seattle running back Kenneth Walker is also banged up with a shoulder injury that knocked him out of last week’s game early. That could be key considering the Cardinals have a healthy lead back in James Conner in a matchup involving two of the worst rush defenses in the NFL.
