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NFC North standings: How Vikings’ win over Packers impacts 2024 NFL playoff picture

The Packers made it interesting, but the Vikings set up the game of the season in the NFL with their win on Sunday. 

Minnesota held on for a 27-25 victory over Green Bay after leading 27-10 midway through the fourth quarter, nearly costing itself an opportunity to win the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Instead, Sam Darnold hit Cam Akers on a massive 3rd-and-2 to keep the ball out of Jordan Love’s hands and secure the Vikings’ 14th win.

The Vikings’ Week 18 matchup with the Lions will have all eyes on it, while the Packers have been dealt a blow in the race for seeding among the NFC’s wild-card teams.

Here’s a look at how the Vikings’ win impacts each NFC North contender ahead of Week 18. 

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NFC North standings

Rank Team Record
1 Vikings 14-2
2 Lions 13-2
3 Packers 11-5
4 Bears 4-12

The Vikings will spend at least 24 hours on top of the NFC North, but the Lions can pull back in front with a win on Monday due to a tiebreaker advantage.

That’s all semantics for the Vikings at this point, though. Minnesota knows a win over Detroit in Week 18 would be enough to win the NFC North and earn the No. 1 seed in the conference. The Lions, meanwhile, would stay in the No. 5 seed with a loss to the 49ers in Week 17, but they can climb right back up to the top spot with a win over Minnesota in Week 18.

NFC playoff standings

Seed Team Record
1 Vikings 14-2
2 Eagles 13-3
3 Rams 10-6
4 Falcons 8-7
5 Lions 13-2
6 Packers 11-5
7 Commanders 10-5

The Packers were already out of NFC North contention but cannot finish higher than the No. 6 seed in the NFC. A Commanders win on Sunday would drop Green Bay to the No. 7 seed, which comes with significant ramifications. If the Packers stay there, they would have to go on the road to Philadelphia in the wild-card round.

The loser of the Week 18 game between the Lions and Vikings will be the No. 5 seed and start the playoffs on the road.

MORE: Why the Lions reunited with QB Teddy Bridgewater

Vikings playoff picture

The Vikings know a win over the Lions in Week 18 will get them an NFC North title and a first-round bye, while a loss would make them the No. 5 seed in the NFC despite 14 wins. If they don’t win the division, the Vikings will start the playoffs on the road against either the NFC South or NFC West champions. 

Lions playoff picture

The Lions’ Monday game against the 49ers is virtually meaningless, as it will all come down to Week 18 against the Vikings. A win at home would give Detroit the NFC North title and a first-round bye, while a loss would send the Lions to the No. 5 seed in the NFC.

Packers playoff picture

The Packers can only be the No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the NFC, and a Commanders win on Sunday night would at least temporarily slide Green Bay down to the No. 7 seed. The ramifications could be significant, as the No. 7 seed is guaranteed to go on the road to face the mighty Eagles in the wild-card round.

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