Certainly if the Vikings win and go 15-2, Minnesota would claim a first-round bye in the playoffs, right? Not necessarily. Look at ESPN's playoff machineThere is a scenario in which both the Lions and Vikings could finish 15-2 and Detroit would receive the No. 1 seed and Minnesota, which had the same record, would receive the No. 5 seed.
Since the Vikings and Lions both play in the NFC North, Minnesota itself would have to travel to its first playoff game with an outstanding record. The Vikings would travel to Arizona to face the Cardinals in this matchup.
With the Lions playing so well, Minnesota needs to continue its winning ways with a chance to beat Detroit and trust the Lions to lose another game along the way.
Minnesota faces the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and plays former Viking quarterback Kirk Cousins for the first time.
