The Minnesota Vikings currently hold the last wild card spot in the NFC but the Los Angeles Rams are right on their heels so they need to win their game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Vikings are favorites, but this isn't going to be a walk in the park. Let's break down two key x-factors for the Vikings to come away with a victory.

2. Vikings secondary against Phillip Rivers

The Vikings secondary used to be a real strength of the defense but this season that hasn't been the case. Xavier Rhodes used to be one of the best cornerbacks in all of football. This season he has taken a big step back and as long as he isn't getting burned, it seems that is good enough.

Phillip Rivers has been up and down this season and is coming off a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars he completed 72 percent of his passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns.

That was a good game for Rivers but also a couple of weeks ago he threw four interceptions against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Vikings secondary needs to make sure that Rivers has a game more like he did against the Chiefs rather than the one he did against the Jaguars.

If the Vikings can get some pressure on Rivers and the secondary can complete a few interceptions, the Vikings should be in really good shape to have success.

1. Kirk Cousins

The Chargers secondary is really good. They're giving up only 196.6 passing yards per game, which is 4th in football. Kirk Cousins needs to not be intimidated.

Cousins hasn't been intimidated much this season and even in games the Vikings have lost, Cousins has had big games. A couple of games ago when the Vikings lost to the Seattle Seahawks, Cousins threw for 276 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The interception wasn't really his fault and he has done a good job of taking care of the ball.

The Vikings also need to have a good gameplan going into this one on offense. Early in the game, the Vikings need to take a couple of shots, even if they don't hit them.

That will open up the field for the running game and also the short passing game for Cousins. If Cousins has a big game and the Vikings secondary can create a couple of turnovers, the Vikings are going to be in great shape to come away with a win.