EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — One team is in, five spots are open, and three weeks remain in the regular season.
The Vikings were unable to obtain their passport to the playoffs in their first opportunity on Sunday against the Panthers.
The loss snapped an eight-game winning streak and a run of five-straight road victories that tied a franchise record.
Minnesota (10-3) will host Cincinnati (5-8) on Sunday and can clinch the NFC North with a victory or a loss/tie by Detroit (7-6) and Green Bay (7-6).
The Eagles (11-2) clinched the NFC East by winning 43-35 in Los Angeles, completing a worst-to-first turnaround. After finishing in last in its division a season ago, Philadelphia now controls its postseason destiny and can play for home-field advantage. Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, however, suffered a torn ACL and will be out the rest of the season.
There are 11 teams in the NFC that still have a shot at making the playoffs.
The Rams (9-4) have a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Saints (9-4). Los Angeles would be the No. 3 seed, and New Orleans would be the No. 4.
Carolina (9-4) would be the No. 5, and Atlanta (8-5) would be the No. 6 if the playoffs started this weekend.
Seattle (8-5), Detroit (7-6), Green Bay (7-6), Dallas (7-6) and Arizona (6-7) remain in contention.
Click **here** to view all of the NFL's tiebreaking procedures.
Below are the remaining schedules for the 11 NFC teams who still have a shot at the playoffs, along with records and win percentages of remaining opponents:
1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) xy
12/17 @ NYG (2-11)
12/25 OAK (6-7)
12/31 DAL (7-6)
Remaining foes' combined records: 15-24 (.385)
2. Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
12/17 CIN (5-8)
12/23 @ GB (7-6)
12/31 CHI (4-9)
Remaining foes' combined records: 16-23 (.410)
3. Los Angeles Rams (9-4)
12/17 @ SEA (8-5)
12/24 @ TEN (8-5)
12/31 SF (3-10)
Remaining foes' combined records: 19-20 (.487)
4. New Orleans (9-4)
12/17 NYJ (5-8)
12/24 ATL (8-5)
12/31 @ TB (4-9)
Remaining foes' combined records: 17-22 (.436)
5. Carolina Panthers (9-4)
12/17 GB (7-6)
12/24 TB (4-9)
12/31 @ ATL (8-5)
Remaining foes' combined records: 19-20 (.487)
6. Atlanta Falcons (8-5)
12/18 @ TB (4-9)
12/24 @NO (9-4)
12/31 CAR (9-4)
Remaining foes' combined records: 22-17 (.564)
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)
12/17 LAR (9-4)
12/24 @ DAL (7-6)
12/31 AZ (6-7)
Remaining foes' combined records: 22-17 (.564)
8. Detroit Lions (7-6)
12/16 CHI (4-9)
12/24 @ CIN (5-8)
12/31 GB (7-6)
Remaining foes' combined records: 16-23 (.410)
9. Green Bay Packers (7-6)
12/17 @ CAR (9-4)
12/23 MIN (10-3)
12/31 @ DET (7-6)
Remaining foes' combined records: 26-13 (.667)
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-6)
12/17 @ OAK (6-7)
12/24 SEA (8-5)
12/31 @ PHI (11-2)
Remaining foes' combined records: 25-14 (.641)
11. Arizona Cardinals (6-7)
12/17 @ WAS (5-8)
12/24 NYG (2-11)
12/31 @ SEA (8-5)
Remaining foes' combined records: 15-24 (.385)
Key
x-clinched playoff berth
y-clinched division title
z-clinched first-round bye
*-clinched home-field advantage
