The Vikings already had the NFC North in hand heading into their Week 15 bout with the Colts. They were four games ahead of the second-place Lions, so squandering the division was a long shot.
But at halftme on Saturday, it seemed a forgone conclusion that Minnesota would have to wait another week to wrap things up. The Vikings were down 33-0, so the only reasonable result was that they would drop to 10-4, lick their wounds and try again next week.
This football Saturday wasn't reasonable, however. The Vikings ripped off 39 of the next 42 points to win 39-36 in overtitme, the biggest comeback in NFL history. A field goal by Greg Joseph seconds before the game would have ended in a tie clinched the NFC North for the Vikings and secured them a home game in the playoffs.
MORE: Updated NFL standings, playoff picture for Week 15
By winning the North, the Vikings could finish anywhere from No. 1 to 3 in the NFC standings. The 49ers have clinched the NFC West and the Eagles are trying to stave off the Cowboys in the NFC East.
NFC North standings
The precipitous drop by the Packers has allowed the Vikings to step in and take control of the division this year. After starting the season 7-1, they lost to the Cowboys, then won another three in a row before losing to the Lions last week.
MORE: Vikings pull off biggest comeback in NFL history in OT victory over Colts
They're now 11-3 and looking to catch the 12-1 Eagles for top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. The Lions are second at 6-7 and are scrapping for a playoff spot alongside the 5-8 Packers. For the Bears, it's all about where they pick in the draft.
| Team | Record |
| Vikings | 11-3 |
| Lions | 6-7 |
| Packers | 5-8 |
| Bears | 3-10 |
The Vikings have a plus-2 season point differential following their win Saturday, and they're one of the most polarizing teams in football.
Vikings playoff scenarios
The Vikings could realistically be the No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 seed at this point. Any of those scenarios guarantees them a home game in the playoffs, but it goes without saying No. 1 is more desirable.
No. 1 seed
If the Vikings can jump the Eagles for the 1-spot, they'll get a bye and play the lowest seed remaining from wild-card weekend in Minnesota. They would also have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
But the path to a first-round bye would be difficult. The Vikings would require help. Their remaining games are against the Giants, Packers and Bears, so winning out is far from impossible, but winning out obviously doesn't guarantee them the top seed. They'd also need to finish a game ahead of the Eagles because Philadelphia holds the head-to-head tiebreaker via a 24-7 win in Week 2.
No. 2 seed
Heading into the Sunday games of Week 15, a finish as the No. 2 seed would have the Vikings hosting the Giants on wild-card weekend. If they win that game, they would play the higher seed of the winners from the other wild-card games the following weekend in the divisional round, also in Minnesota. If they make the NFC championship game and play the Eagles, it would be in Philadelphia. If they make it to the title game and a lower seed knocks off Philadelphia, the road to Glendale would run through Minneapolis in the NFC.
No. 3 seed
If the Vikings earn the No. 3 seed, they would play the Commanders on wild-card weekend, based on the standings prior to Sunday. If the 49ers and Vikings both advance, they would likely find themselves playing in Santa Clara the following week. This is, of course, the most difficult road.
