Playoff Picture

How frustrating is it as a Vikings fan, to HOPE the Vikings still finish 10-6 and KNOWING that record may not be good enough to get them in the playoffs?

We all pretty much KNOW that we will NOT win those last two games, but deep down inside we're thinking that it's somehow possible.

But if it happens, because of current tie-breaker rules, we will most likely NOT be in the playoffs.

Here are just some of the scenarios. Few of them are good.

Vikings 10-6, Redskins 10-6, Giants 10-6, Cowboys 9-7 or 8-8:

Washington makes playoffs as #4 seed (NFC East Champ), New York makes playoffs as #6 seed (wild card), Minnesota out, Dallas out

Vikings 10-6, Cowboys 10-6, Giants 10-6, Redskins 9-7 or 8-8:

Dallas makes playoffs as #4 seed (NFC East Champ), New York makes playoffs as #6 seed (wild card), Minnesota out, Washington out

Vikings 10-6, Redskins 10-6, Giants 9-7 or 8-8, Cowboys 9-7 or 8-8

Washington makes playoffs as #4 seed (NFC East Champ), Minnesota makes playoffs as #6 seed (wild card), New York out, Dallas out

Vikings 10-6, Giants 10-6, Redskins 9-7 or 8-8, Cowboys 9-7 or 8-8

New York makes playoffs as #4 seed (NFC East Champ), Minnesota makes playoffs as #6 seed (wild card), Washington out, Dallas out

Vikings 10-6, Cowboys 10-6, Redskins 9-7 or 8-8, Giants 9-7 or 8-8

Dallas makes playoffs as #4 seed (NFC East Champ), Minnesota makes playoffs as #6 seed (wild card), Redskins out, Giants out

Basically. . .the Vikings need to get to 10-6, and hope that only one of the three NFC East teams (rather than two) gets to 10-6. In a three-way tie at 10-6 with the Giants and either the Redskins or the Cowboys, the Vikings find themselves on the outside looking in. Remember, the best the NFC East can do is two 10-6 teams, as the Week 17 match-up between Dallas and Washington could potentially serve as an elimination game if both teams enter at 9-6.

The Vikings could get in at 9-7 if the following happens:

-Chicago splits their final two games to finish 9-7, in which case Minnesota would still win the tiebreaker against them (I believe through the "common opponents" tie breaker)
-Washington finishes 10-6 and wins the NFC East and New York and Dallas both finish the year at 9-7

Or


-Washington, New York, and Dallas all finish 9-7 along with Minnesota

In either of those scenarios, the Redskins would remain the NFC East Champions and the #4 seed, while Minnesota would get in as the #6 seed.

And, if you can believe it, the Vikings could even back themselves into the playoffs at 8-8 if. . .and this is probably expecting a lot. . .if Chicago, New York, and Dallas all lose their final two games of the year and also finish at 8-8. That's a long shot at best, however.