The Vikings know the magnitude of every game with three remaining in the regular season.
That run starts Sunday when Minnesota (7-7) hosts the Los Angeles Rams (10-4).
Aside from getting a win and going above .500, there are other games that could impact Minnesota's status for a playoff spot. Here's a glance of three.
New York Giants (4-10) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-7)
Noon (CT) Monday | Lincoln Financial Field | FOX (regional broadcast)
Outlook: Like it or not, Vikings fans are likely going to need to keep an eye on what happens with the Eagles for the next few weeks. The Giants are already eliminated from the postseason and have shut down QB Daniel Jones for the season. Philadelphia has won four of its past five games by scoring an average of 32.5 points in those victories. The lone exception in that span was a 13-7 loss to the Giants on Nov. 28.
Giants Notes
According to media reports, the Giants are preparing to start Jake Fromm, who passed for 82 yards in his NFL debut last week. Mike Glennon is New York's other option.
RB Saquon Barkley has averaged 104.5 scrimmage yards and totaled two touchdowns in two games at Philadelphia.
LB Tae Crowder recorded an interception when the teams met last month. Crowder recorded 12 tackles and one for loss last week.
Eagles Notes
QB Jalen Hurts completed 20 of 26 passes (76.9 percent) for 296 yards and totaled three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) on Tuesday in a win over Washington.
RB Miles Sanders totaled 146 scrimmage yards on Tuesday for his third consecutive game with 140-plus.
DT Fletcher Cox recorded 1.5 sacks and recorded his 14th career forced fumble last week against the Football Team.
Washington Football Team (6-8) at Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
7:20 p.m. (CT) Sunday | AT&T Stadium | NBC (national broadcast)
Outlook: Washington gave a valiant effort with a depleted roster last week, but it wasn't enough. Dallas clinched a playoff berth when San Francisco lost at Tennessee Thursday night.
Football Team Notes
QB Taylor Heinicke needs 69 passing yards to record his first season with at least 3,000 yards and one more passing touchdown for 20 on the season, which would be another career first.
WR Terry McLaurin has caught at least five passes and totaled more than 60 yards in three of four career games against Dallas.
DE Montez Sweat has four sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception returned for a touchdown in his past three games at Dallas.
Cowboys Notes
QB Dak Prescott is 4-0 with 11 total touchdowns (nine passing and two rushing) with a passer rating of 118.3 in four home starts against Washington.
WR Amari Cooper has recorded at least 90 yards in his past three home games against Washington.
CB Trevon Diggs leads the NFL with 10 interceptions, and LB Micah Parsons leads all rookies with 12 sacks.
Miami Dolphins (7-7) at New Orleans Saints (7-7)
7:15 p.m. (CT) Monday | Caesars Superdome | ESPN (national broadcast)
Outlook: The Dolphins have won six in a row after losing seven consecutive games and can do the Vikings a favor. The Saints have bounced back from a five-game losing streak with consecutive wins over the Jets (no surprise to most) and Buccaneers (a shutout that sent a shockwave across the NFL). New Orleans outscored Green Bay and Tampa Bay by a combined 83-30 in three total games this season.
Dolphins Notes
QB Tua Tagovailoa has a passer rating of 100 or higher in four of his past five starts, and his completion percentage has exceeded 70 percent in three of his past four games.
WR Jaylen Waddle has had eight or more catches in his past three games, bringing his season total to 86. He needs seven more receptions for the second-most by a rookie.
CB Xavien Howard has totaled three interceptions in his past two Monday Night Football games.
Saints Notes
With Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and Jameis Winston already on Injured Reserve, the Saints will likely turn to fourth-round pick Ian Book to make his NFL debut.
RB Alvin Kamara is New Orleans' emergency QB after book. He has recorded 1,331 scrimmage yards and totaled 18 touchdowns in his past 12 home games.
DE Cameron Jordan recorded two sacks and forced a fumble last week against Tampa Bay. Entering Week 16, he is one of five active players with more than 100 career sacks (100.5).
