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The Minnesota Vikings may be well out of the playoff picture, but they can still help decide who gets to the postseason by virtue of their four remaining games. Minnesota has three games left against possible playoff teams, including a game each against teams in the NFC North that are vying for the two NFC wild card spots.
Minnesota heads to Detroit this week, where the Lions have lost two straight. Detroit is still tied for the two NFC wild card spots, but they currently would lose the tiebreaker to both Chicago and Atlanta. All three teams have identical 7-5 records. The Vikings will also host the Bears for the final game of the season on January 1.
The NFC South has the Saints leading it by two games, and New Orleans will come to Minnesota on December 18. The Saints are 9-3 and are a game behind San Francisco for the No. 2 seed and a first round bye in the playoffs. New Orleans leads Atlanta in the NFC South by two games.