What is the Minnesota Vikings’ path to the playoffs?

The Minnesota Vikings are still holding on to dear life for the postseason and this could get them there. 

Seriously, who are the Minnesota Vikings?

One week the team looks like their 1-5 start and the next they could be competing for the NFC North title. Sitting a 5-6, the team isn’t out of the postseason, but the road uphill is tough.

Losing is out of the question. So is average play on offense since the defense still has allowed at 20 points or more in four of their last five games. Health should be a concern as well since Dalvin Cook will be essential for a postseason push. And with five games remaining, this could be the surprise to watch late into the holiday season.

Minnesota’s path is difficult, but also not out of the realm.

Looking at the postseason picture, the No.7 seed in Arizona only holds a one-game lead. With their divisional matchup against the Rams, they could be back in the “hunt” category by Week 14. Meanwhile, Cook and Justin Jefferson should be in for big-time outings Sunday against the Jaguars’ putrid defensive front, but also in Week 17 against the cowardly Lions of Detroit.

If the Vikings’ Week 15 matchup against the Bears swings in their favor, they would hold the tiebreaker if both finished at .500 or better. They might need that since their remaining games would be against a furious Buccaneers’ team on the three-game losing streak and the surprisingly winning Saints.

Taysom Hill or Drew Brees, it won’t matter. Sean Payton is going to bring fire in Week 16. After the Minneapolis Miracle and last season’s playoff implosion, momentum is in Minnesota’s favor in 2-0 playoff games. This won’t be a playoff outing, but it does have implications behind it.

The Cardinals will need to drop at least three games, but three are against divisional opponents. Chicago has two games against the Jaguars and Texans, but the other three are all in the division.

A win out for Los Angeles or Arizona guarantees their spot in the postseason. Even splitting their series at least gets one in. Ultimately, it comes down to winning the easy games and hold the tiebreaker over the team in the Windy City.

If Kirk Cousins plays how he has minus the turnover last Sunday, Minnesota should be in place to make things interesting down the stretch. In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, there’s only one path to January football, and the sails must blow in the Vikings’ direction to them to pillage the postseason.