A dominating Chicago Bears defense fueled a win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, and in doing so gave Chicago a strong chance to clinch the NFC North sooner than later.
According to the NFL Playoff Machine from the New York Times, the Bears have a 92 percent chance to win the division compared to an eight percent chance for the Vikings.
The Vikings have four games to go and they likely need to win them all to have a chance to win a second straight division title.
A win over the Seahawks would get the Vikings to 7-5-1, which would be good for the top wild card (5 seed) in the NFC playoff picture but still two wins behind the Bears (9-4).
If the Vikings lose to the Seahawks, they’ll still be control of the second wild card (6 seed) but would need to win out and have the Bears lose out in order to win the division.
Chicago hosts Green Bay next week and plays at San Francisco in Week 16, both of which the Bears will be favored to win.
Minnesota is hoping to keep the division race alive for a potential NFC North title bout in Week 17 at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Bears, but it’s more likely that the Vikings will be looking to clinch a wild-card berth in Week 17 against a Bears team that might have the 3-seed locked up and in a position where starters are rested.
Regardless of what happens, the Vikings have a 68 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to the Playoff Machine. That number skyrockets to 88 percent if they beat Seattle and drops to 56 percent if they lose.
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