It’s official, the Minnesota Vikings will travel to New Orleans to face the Saints in the first round of the playoffs, with kickoff scheduled for 12 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5.
San Francisco defeated Seattle Sunday night to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC, with the Packers earning the No. 2 seed while the Saints clinched the No. 3 seed. Seattle, the No. 5 seed, will travel to Philadelphia to face the No. 4 seed Eagles next weekend.
Minnesota’s destination wasn’t settled until the final moments of Sunday Night Football between the 49ers and Seahawks, with the 49ers holding on for a 26-21 as the final Seattle play came up inches shy of a go-ahead touchdown.
The 49ers and Packers have first-round byes, with the Jan. 4-5 weekend of playoffs in the NFC featuring:
- #6 Vikings at #3 Saints
- #5 Seahawks at #4 Eagles
The rivalry between the Saints and Vikings dates back to 2009-10 with the Saints’ “Bountygate” scandal, followed by Minnesota stunning New Orleans two years ago with the “Minneapolis Miracle” in the 2017-18 playoffs.
The Saints went 6-2 at home this season, but all but three of eight home games were decided by a touchdown or less.
- Saints 30, Texans 28
- Saints 12, Cowboys 10
- Saints 31, Buccaneers 24
- Saints 31, Cardinals 9
- Falcons 26, Saints 9
- Saints 34, Panthers 31
- 49ers 48, Saints 46
- Saints 34, Colts 7
If the Vikings win, they will face the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in the divisional round Jan. 10 or Jan. 11.
