The Vikings were unable to help themselves in the playoff race with a loss to the Colts last Sunday and now they face an uphill battle if they want to reach to the postseason for the second straight season.

The first order of business is a road trip to Lambeau Field, where the Vikings clinched the NFC North title with a 20-17 win over the Packers in Week 17 last season.

In addition, the Vikings will need a little help to keep their hopes alive as they head into the final week of the regular season.

Besides the game against the Packers, these three games are meaningful for the Vikings moving forward.

Washington Redskins (7-6-1) at Chicago Bears (3-11), noon, Saturday (CT)

The Vikings will lean on the Bears just a week before Minnesota hosts Chicago in the season finale. If both the Bears and Vikings win, that would bump the Vikings above Washington in the Wild Card race.

This is a matchup of two teams that are coming off losses last week. Chicago fell in the final second to Green Bay, and Washington lost to Carolina on Monday night. Coming off the short week, Kirk Cousins and the Redskins will look to get back on track and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) at New Orleans Saints (6-8), 3:25, Saturday (CT)

This game has the most meaning to the Vikings playoff chances aside from their own. Even if Minnesota wins during the early slate of games, a Tampa Bay victory would eliminate them from playoff contention. A Vikings win and a New Orleans win is the only scenario that would keep the Vikings alive heading into Week 17.

New Orleans is coming off of a 48-41 road win at Arizona. The Buccaneers saw their five-game win streak come to an end at Dallas. Tampa Bay can't clinch a playoff berth with just a win. It needs Green Bay loss, a Detroit loss and a Washington loss as well to clinch a postseason spot.

Detroit Lions (9-5) at Dallas Cowboys (12-2), 7:30, Monday (CT)

The Week 16 finale between Detroit and Dallas isn't just a premiere matchup of two of the NFC's top teams, it also could have a big effect on NFC playoff positioning. A Dallas victory not only clinches them the NFC East title, but also home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. If Detroit wins, they'll clinch the division if the Vikings also take down the Packers. A Detroit victory paired with a Green Bay victory sets up another Week 17 winner-take-all game for the NFC North.