EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings control their own destiny with three games to go.

Minnesota is in the No. 7 seed for the NFC Playoffs via tiebreakers as Week 15 transitions to Week 16. The Vikings can stay there for sure by winning their final three regular-season games.

The Vikings moved to 7-7 after Monday night's unsightly win at Chicago, and the team knows it must be better going forward.

"I think we've got work to do," said Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. "I think there's a lot to improve upon.

"We're playing three really good opponents up ahead … we're probably going to need every one," Cousins added. "There's not a lot of room for error, and we've got to tighten screws here and play our best football down the stretch."

The Vikings host the Rams on Sunday before closing out the season against the Packers (road) and Bears (home).

A reminder that there are seven postseason berths in each conference and that only the No. 1 seed gets a first-round bye, a format the league adopted in 2020.

Here's the look at the NFC playoff picture — with standings, current playoff odds, and a status update — as we head into Week 16.

1. Green Bay Packers (11-3)

Final 3 games

12/25 CLE (7-7)

01/02 MIN (7-7)

01/09 @DET (2-11-1)

Remaining foes' combined records: 16-25-1

Opponents' win percentage: .393

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Clinched by winning NFC North title

Status: The Packers enjoyed themselves in Week 15. Not only did Green Bay's 31-30 win over Baltimore make it the first team in the NFL to clinch a playoff spot, but the Packers also captured the NFC North title for the third straight season. With three games left, Green Bay is squarely focused on claiming the NFC's top seed.

2. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)

Final 3 games

12/26 WAS (6-8)

01/02 ARI (10-4)

01/09 @PHI (7-7)

Remaining foes' combined records: 23-19

Opponents' win percentage: .548

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 99-plus percent

Status: The Cowboys are rolling with three straight wins and have an eye on the playoffs … and an NFC East title. Dallas can clinch the division with a win in Week 16 and also keep its standing as one of the NFC's top teams.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-4)

Final 3 games

12/26 @CAR (6-8)

01/02 @NYJ (3-11)

01/09 CAR (6-8)

Remaining foes' combined records: 15-27

Opponents' win percentage: .357

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 99-plus percent

Status: The Buccaneers fell flat against the Saints as Tampa Bay was kept off the scoreboard in a 9-0 loss. You would imagine the Buccaneers, who have another chance to clinch the NFC South this weekend, will be laser focused on Carolina. Tampa Bay is also still in the running for the top seed if Green Bay stumbles.

4. Arizona Cardinals (10-4)

Final 3 games

12/25 IND (8-6)

01/02 @DAL (10-4)

01/09 SEA (5-9)

Remaining foes' combined records: 23-19

Opponents' win percentage: .548

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 99-plus percent

Status: Rough weekend for the Cardinals, who not only fell to the Lions, but suffered their second straight loss at a time when teams prefer to be heating up. Arizona is 3-4 following a 7-0 start, and some have asked if this swoon is similar to the one the team went through in 2020. The schedule doesn't get easier with the Colts and Cowboys looming … and the Rams hot on their tails.

5. Los Angeles Rams (10-4)

Final 3 games

12/26 @MIN (7-7)

01/02 @BAL (8-6)

01/09 SF (8-6)

Remaining foes' combined records: 23-19

Opponents' win percentage: .548

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 99 percent

Status: The Rams have rallied back from three straight losses with three straight wins and have also made it a race for the NFC West. Arizona holds the tiebreaker based on division record, but Los Angeles could end up hosting a first-round playoff game if things go the Rams way. Los Angeles visits Minnesota in Week 16 in a big test for both teams.

6. San Francisco 49ers (8-6)

Final 3 games

12/23 @TEN (9-5)

01/02 HOU (2-12)

01/09 @LAR (10-4)

Remaining foes' combined records: 21-21

Opponents' win percentage: .500

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 81 percent

Status: The 49ers remained poised for a playoff spot, as San Francisco has won six of its past eight games. It will be tough for the Vikings to catch the 49ers based on San Francisco's head-to-head win, which means Minnesota is like playing for the seventh seed.

7. Minnesota Vikings (7-7)

Final 3 games

12/26 LAR (10-4)

01/02 @GB (11-3)

01/09 CHI (4-10)

Remaining foes' combined records: 25-17

Opponents' win percentage: .595

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 29 percent

Status: The Vikings will be in with three straight wins, but Minnesota will have to earn its way into the dance. The Rams and Packers both have double-digit victories already in 2021, and a depleted Bears team hung tough at Soldier Field on Monday. Brace for anything with these Vikings, who have played one-possession games in 13 of 14 contests this season. The wild ride should continue over these next few weeks.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (7-7)

Final 3 games

12/26 NYG (4-10)

01/02 @WAS (6-8)

01/09 DAL (10-4)

Remaining foes' combined records: 20-22

Opponents' win percentage: .476

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 36 percent

Status: Here come the Eagles, who have won four of five to position themselves as Wild Card contenders down the stretch. Philadelphia has relied on a bruising rushing attack, as the Eagles have recorded 175-plus rushing yards in seven straight games. The Vikings will be in if the teams finish with the same record, but given Minnesota's tougher slate, they would like at least one Philadelphia loss down the stretch.

9. New Orleans Saints (7-7)

Final 3 games

12/27 MIA (7-7)

01/02 CAR (5-9)

01/09 @ATL (6-8)

Remaining foes' combined records: 18-24

Opponents' win percentage: .429

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 45 percent

Status: The Saints pulled off an impressive feat Sunday night as they shut out a Tom Brady-led offense for the first time since 2006. New Orleans isn't in a playoff spot at the moment, but it's in a much better spot than before the weekend. The Saints are a team to watch, as they don't play a team with a winning record down the stretch, although the red-hot Dolphins have won six straight games.

10. Washington Football Team (6-8)

Final 3 games

12/26 @DAL (10-4)

01/02 PHI (7-7)

01/09 @NYG (4-10)

Remaining foes' combined records: 21-21

Opponents' win percentage: .500

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 9 percent

Status: Washington's loss Tuesday night meant Minnesota stayed the seventh seed for now. Washington put up a fight against Philadelphia on the road, but was undermanned in key places, especially quarterback. Washington now needs to win out and hope for some help. Regardless, the Vikings will certainly be pulling for the Football Team in its Week 17 rematch with the Eagles.

11. Atlanta Falcons (6-8)

Final 3 games

12/27 DET (2-11-1)

01/02 @BUF (8-6)

01/09 NO (7-7)

Remaining foes' combined records: 17-24-1

Opponents' win percentage: .417

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): 2 percent

Status: The Falcons faltered in a big way Sunday, scoring just one touchdown on five trips inside the red zone. Atlanta can ill afford another loss down the stretch against a stingy schedule. The Lions are playing with confidence and both the Bills and Saints have playoff hopes with three games left.

12. Carolina Panthers (5-9)

Final 3 games

12/26 TB (10-4)

01/02 @NO (7-7)

01/09 @TB (10-4)

Remaining foes' combined records: 27-15

Opponents' win percentage: .643

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Less than 0.1 percent

Status: Carolina's freefall continued with a blowout loss against Buffalo. A Panthers teams that started 3-0 has managed just two wins since and will be knocked out of playoff contention with a loss or tie in Week 16. Carolina will host a Tampa Bay team that surely will be in a surly mood.

13. Seattle Seahawks (5-9)

Final 3 game

12/26 CHI (4-10)

01/02 DET (2-11-1)

01/09 @AZ (10-4)

Remaining foes' combined records: 16-25-1

Opponents' win percentage: .393

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Less than 0.1 percent

Status: The Seahawks playoff hopes all but ended with Tuesday night's loss to the Rams. Seattle now needs to win out and hope for numerous crazy scenarios, but it appears the Seahawks will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

14. New York Giants (4-10)

Final 3 games

12/26 @PHI (7-7)

01/02 @CHI (4-10)

01/09 WAS (6-8)

Remaining foes' combined records: 17-25

Opponents' win percentage: .405

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Eliminated from playoff contention

Status: The Giants scored just six points in a Week 15 loss to the Cowboys and were promptly eliminated from playoff contention. New York last made the postseason in 2016. The Vikings will still be rooting for the Giants, however, especially with games against the Eagles and Washington.

15. Chicago Bears (4-9)

Final 3 games

12/26 @SEA (5-9)

01/02 NYG (4-10)

01/09 @MIN (7-7)

Remaining foes' combined records: 16-26

Opponents' win percentage: .381

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Eliminated from playoff contention

Status: The Bears couldn't get out of their own way Monday night, racking up almost 100 yards in penalties and failing to find the end zone until the final play of the game. Chicago was without numerous starters but still gave an inconsistent Minnesota team multiple problems. The Bears final three games should be about the future, which includes the development of Justin Fields.

16. Detroit Lions (2-11-1)

Final 3 games

12/26 @ATL (6-8)

01/02 @ SEA (5-9)

01/09 GB (11-3)

Remaining foes' combined records: 22-20

Opponents' win percentage: .524

Current playoff odds (via FiveThirtyEight.com): Eliminated from playoff contention

Status: How about the Lions, who pulled off perhaps the most shocking win of the season in Week 15? And Detroit didn't just squeak by against Arizona either, as that game was in hand for most of the contest. Dan Campbell has his team playing hard as the 2021 season nears its conclusion.