NFC playoff picture: Vikings, Adrian Peterson soar into postseason

Powered by yet another historic performance from superstar Adrian Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings officially punched their ticket to the 2012-13 NFL Playoffs on Sunday with a win over Green Bay.

Fully aware that a win would be enough to seal up a bid, the Vikings used a heavy dose of Peterson in Week 17 to keep Green Bay's defense off balance for much of the contest. Though he fell exactly nine yards short of breaking Eric Dickerson's NFL rushing record by game's end, Peterson's 199 rushing yards still moved him to No. 2 all-time at in single season history with 2,097 yards. And with the possibility of overtime looming large with just seconds remaining, a clutch run by Peterson ultimately put Minnesota into field goal position and was enough to set up a game-winning kick by Blair Walsh.

Now set for a Wild Card game in the opening round, the Vikings will be making their first playoff appearance since the 2009-10 season. Although they have not won an NFC title in 36 years, the Vikings would then face the No. 1-seeded Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional Round if they are victorious in round one.