Fansided

5 NFL teams that must win in Week 16

By Mike Phillips

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 15: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) takes a snap against the Washington Redskins on December 15, 2019, at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 15: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) takes a snap against the Washington Redskins on December 15, 2019, at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 15: Minnesota Vikings Safety Anthony Harris (41) raises his right hand during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Chargers on December 15, 2019, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 15: Minnesota Vikings Safety Anthony Harris (41) raises his right hand during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Chargers on December 15, 2019, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Minnesota Vikings

The good news for the Vikings is that they may well have a playoff spot locked up by the time they take the field on Monday. If the Los Angeles Rams lose to the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, the Vikings will be in the playoffs as at least a wild card.

There is no question that Minnesota has the formula to be a legitimate postseason threat. Dalvin Cook, while plagued by shoulder problems the past couple of weeks, has become the focal point of the Vikings’ offense, rushing for 1,135 yards on the year.

With an effective rushing attack, the Vikings have been able to let Kirk Cousins work off of play-action, which is one of his stronger suits. Cousins hasn’t quite been worth the fully guaranteed contract he signed with Minnesota two years ago, but he is still plenty good enough to win within today’s NFL.

The Vikings are home on Monday to take on their bitter rivals, the Green Bay Packers, and a loss would eliminate them from contention for the division title. Green Bay scored a win at Lambeau when the teams met in Week 2, and a sweep here would ice the NFC North.

Even though the odds of Minnesota winning the division aren’t great, they would drop to zero with a loss here. That certainly qualifies as must-win territory here.

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