NFC Playoff Picture: Vikings Status Entering Week 14

Minnesota Vikings
03 Dec 2025, 04:52 GMT+10

Craig Peters

EAGAN, Minn.This is a bit of uncharted water for the Vikings to be staring down potential elimination in Week 14, but that's the situation because the high-point win at Detroit in Week 9 has been followed by four consecutive losses.

If the streak extends Sunday with a loss to the Commanders (3-9), Minnesota will officially be eliminated from postseason contention and have no shot at avoiding a losing record for 2025.

Depending on what happens across the NFL, a win might not be enough to stave off elimination.

Here's a look at the current NFC playoff picture with conference standings and a status update as we head into Week 14.

Current Division Leaders

1. Chicago Bears (9-3)

Remaining Schedule

12/7 @ Packers (8-3-1)

12/14 Browns (3-9)

12/20 Packers (8-3-1)

12/28 @ 49ers (9-4)

Week 18 Lions (7-5)

Status:Chicago won at Philadelphia despite Caleb Williams completing 17 of 36 passes for 154 yards with a touchdown, interception and passer rating of 56.9. The Bears leaned on their run game with Kyle Monangai (130 yards on 22 rushes) and D'Andre Swift (125 on 18) each averaging 5.9 or more yards per carry to help Chicago total 281 on the ground.

2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3)

Remaining Schedule

12/7 @ Cardinals (3-9)

12/14 Lions (7-5)

12/18 @ Seahawks (9-3)

12/29 @ Falcons (4-8)

Week 18 Cardinals (3-9)

Status:Matthew Stafford broke a tie with Tom Brady and set the NFL record of 28 consecutive TD passes without an interception before tossing one of two picks to the Panthers as L.A. had its six-game win streak snapped by an upstart Carolina squad attempting a run at the NFC South.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)

Remaining Schedule

12/8 @ Chargers (8-4)

12/14 Raiders (2-10)

12/20 @ Commanders (3-9)

12/28 @ Bills (8-4)

Week 18 Commanders (3-9)

Status:The Eagles dropped a spot in the conference standings with their second loss in as many weeks. Philly was defeated in time of possession by Chicago 39:18 to 20:42.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)

Remaining Schedule

12/7 Saints (2-10)

12/11 Falcons (4-8)

12/21 @ Panthers (7-6)

12/28 @ Dolphins (5-7)

Week 18 Panthers (7-6)

Status:Tampa Bay allowed 386 yards but won the turnover margin 2-0 to snap a three-game losing streak. The Bucs have full control of their destiny, and the Week 16 and 18 games with the Panthers look interesting.

Current Wild Card Teams

5. Seattle Seahawks (9-3)

Remaining Schedule

12/7 @ Falcons (4-8)

12/14 Colts (8-4)

12/18 Rams (9-3)

Week 17 @ Panthers (7-6)

Week 18 @ 49ers (9-4)

Status:Seattle leaned on an impressive defensive effort, stayed persistent with its run game and played solid special teams, despite Minnesota affecting the Seahawks passing game.

6. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)

Remaining Schedule

12/7 Bears (9-3)

12/14 @ Broncos (10-2)

12/20 @ Bears (9-3)

Week 17 Ravens (6-6)

Week 18 @ Vikings (4-8)

Status:The Packers have quite the run of games to open December, adding huge significance to upcoming matchups with the Bears.

7. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)

Remaining Schedule

Week 14 Bye

12/14 Titans (1-11)

12/22 @ Colts (8-4)

12/28 Bears (9-3)

Week 18 Seahawks (9-3)

Status:San Francisco grinded along for a 26-8 win at Cleveland in Week 13, despite only averaging 3.9 yards per play.

Striking distance

8. Detroit Lions (7-5)

Remaining Schedule

12/4 Cowboys (6-5-1)

12/14 @ Rams (9-3)

12/21 Steelers (6-6)

12/25 @ Vikings (4-8)

Week 18 @ Bears (9-3)

Status:The Lions were unable to protect their home turf on Thanksgiving. Now they'll have another opportunity for a home Thursday game, and it could have Texas-sized implications for both teams.

9. Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)

Remaining Schedule

12/4 @ Lions (7-5)

12/14 Vikings (4-8)

12/21 Chargers (8-4)

12/25 @ Commanders (3-9)

Week 18 @ Giants (2-11)

Status:The Cowboys have won three consecutive games, rallying to make a push for the NFC East (if Philly falters) or a Wild Card berth.

10. Carolina Panthers (7-6)

Remaining Schedule

Week 14 Bye

12/14 @ Saints (2-10)

12/21 Buccaneers (7-5)

Week 17 Seahawks (9-3)

Week 18 @ Buccaneers (7-5)

Status:Carolina has impressive wins at Green Bay in Week 9 and at home against the Rams this past Sunday, but the Panthers might need some extra help.

Math exists but you don't want to figure out the equation

11. Atlanta Falcons (4-8)

Remaining Schedule

12/7 Seahawks (9-3)

12/11 @ Buccaneers (7-5)

12/21 @ Cardinals (3-9)

12/29 Rams (9-3)

Week 18 Saints (2-10)

Status:The Falcons were unable to protect a 24-17 lead in the final 8:46 against the Jets, spoiling 142 rushing yards by Bijan Robinson and 234 yards and a score from Kirk Cousins.

12. Minnesota Vikings (4-8)

Remaining Schedule

12/7 Commanders (3-9)

12/14 @ Cowboys (6-5-1)

12/21 @ Giants (2-11)

12/25 Lions (7-5)

Week 18 Packers (8-3-1)

Status:Minnesota has lost four consecutive games for the first time since dropping the final four of 2023 to finish 7-10. Turnovers continued to be problematic, as Minnesota was minus-3 at Seattle.

Only because of the division

14. Washington Commanders (3-9)

Remaining Schedule

12/7 @ Vikings (4-8)

12/14 @ Giants (2-11)

12/20 Eagles (8-4)

12/25 Cowboys (6-5-1)

Week 18 @ Eagles (8-4)

Status:You may have noticed Washington is 14th in the conference but remains in the slightest of contention for the NFC East, despite seven consecutive losses. The Commanders need to win out and have the Eagles lose out, plus have Dallas finish with fewer than eight wins.

Eliminated from postseason contention in Week 13

14. Arizona Cardinals (3-9)

Remaining Schedule

12/7 Rams (9-3)

12/14 @ Texans (7-5)

12/21 Falcons (4-8)

Week 17 @ Bengals (4-8)

Week 18 @ Rams (9-3)

Status:The Cardinals dropped their ninth game in 10 contests.

15. New Orleans Saints (2-10)

Remaining Schedule

12/7 @ Buccaneers (7-5)

12/14 Panthers (7-6)

12/21 Jets (3-9)

12/28 @ Titans (1-11)

Week 18 @ Falcons (4-8)

Status:New Orleans tried to tie the game at 19 with 1:17 remaining at Miami, but a "pick two" by Minkah Fitzpatrick, who intercepted the 2-point conversion pass and returned it to the opposite end zone, provided the 21-17 margin.