The NFC North title may be out of reach for the Vikings, but Minnesota is still in the NFL playoff picture following Week 17.
That the Vikings are alive in the season's final week is surprising. They endured an 0-3 start to the season before storming back but then lost starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to a torn Achilles midway through the campaign.
Since then, the Vikings have started three different quarterbacks in their efforts to replace Cousins. They haven't been as consistent without Cousins but have managed to remain in the thick of the NFC wild-card race nonetheless.
Losing to the Packers on "Sunday Night Football" in a 33-10 defeat was a crushing blow to their chances, yet the Vikings still remain alive — even if only barely.
MORE: Live updated standings, clinching scenarios for NFL playoffs in Week 17
Here's what to know about the Vikings' playoff chances after their loss to one of their arch-rivals.
Vikings playoff picture
The Vikings entered Week 17 as the NFC's No. 8 seed with a record of 7-8. The loss dropped Minnesota to 10th in the NFC playoff picture.
The Vikings had a 31 percent chance of making the postseason coming into Week 17, per NFL.com, but their playoff probability was estimated to increase to 49 percent with a victory.
However, the Vikings' loss to the Packers dropped their playoff probability to an estimated 4 percent. It also gives the Packers the inside track to the No. 7 seed.
The path for the Vikings to make the postseason is now complicated. They will need both the Seahawks and the Packers to lose along with either the Buccaneers or Saints. Minnesota also will need to beat the Lions in Week 18 to reach the playoffs.
The superior NFC record by the Vikings would give Minnesota the tiebreaking edge over all the teams at 7-5. Still, it's clear that is a tremendous amount of help is needed for them to make the postseason.
MORE: Why Lions' 2-point conversion vs. Cowboys was wiped out in controversial fashion
Vikings remaining schedule
The Vikings have one divisional game left on their schedule to close the season. Following the loss to the Packers, the Vikings will go on the road to play a Week 18 clash against the Lions.
| Week | Opponent | Record |
| 17 | vs. Packers* | 7-8 |
| 18 | at Lions | 11-5 |
* - Lost 33-10
Maybe the Lions will rest their starters in that contest since they have no shot at the No. 1 seed. Still, it seems possible that Dan Campbell would relish a chance to knock one of his divisional rivals out of postseason contention — if given the opportunity.
