It's not probable, nor is it likely, but the Minnesota Vikings can get the No. 1 seed in the NFC if a whole bunch of stuff goes their way.
As explained by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk:
“Thanks to our research specialists at NBC Sports, the road to Miami would go through Minneapolis if the Vikings beat the Packers and the Bears, if the Packers lose to the Lions in Week 17 (which would give Minnesota the division title), if Saints lose to the Panthers in Week 17 (which would give the Vikings the No. 2 seed), if the 49ers lose to the Rams on Saturday, if the Seahawks lose to the Cardinals on Sunday, and if the Seahawks and 49ers tie in Week 17.”
That's a lot of things that must happen in 84 words. It's a lot of things that probably won't happen on top of each other. According to Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com, the Vikings have a 0.8% chance of earning the top seed to be exact. That sounds about right.
Minnesota could also get in based on tiebreakers. For that to happen, they would need to win out, the Packers lose out, the Saints lose to the Panthers in Week 17, the 49ers or Seahawks to lose in Week 16, and the loser to win the rematch between the two next week. Deep breath, it's fair to say that it is doubtful that the Vikings get that seed.
The only thing the Vikings can do to alter their playoff fate positively is winning out, beginning with the Green Bay Packers on Monday.
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