Vikings path to No. 1 seed in NFC after Eagles lose to Cowboys, explained

The Vikings’ path to the No. 1 seed in the NFC got just a bit more realistic after the Eagles lost to the Cowboys on Saturday.

The Eagles had a stranglehold over the Vikings for the No. 1 seed in the NFC going into Week 16. Then the Cowboys handed Philadelphia a loss and the race for the No. 1 seed got a bit more interesting.

Let’s be honest here, the likelihood of Minnesota actually stealing the No. 1 seed out from under Philadelphia is low.

Still, we’re saying there’s a chance.

NFC playoff standings after Cowboys beat the Eagles

1. Eagles (13-2) -x
2. Vikings (12-3) -z
3. 49ers (11-4) -z
4. Buccaneers (6-8)
5. Cowboys (11-4) -x
6. Giants (8-6)
7. Commanders (7-7)

What the Vikings need to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC

• Vikings beat the Packers AND Bears
• Eagles lose to Saints AND Giants

If the Vikings win out, they’ll finish 14-3. If the Eagles lost just one of their last two games, they’d also be 14-3 but they would own the head-to-head tiebreaker. That’s why Minnesota needs Philly to lose both of their final two games, dropping them to 13-4.

The Packers could be fighting for their playoff lives when the Vikings take them on. It’s by no means a sure win, even if the Bears should be easier to dispatch.

The bigger issue is getting the Eagles to lose to both the Saints and the Giants. Both of those teams are in contention for the playoffs but Philadelphia is sure to be favored in both outings.

Jay Glazer reported that Jalen Hurts would push to get back from injury in time to face the Saints if the Eagles lost to the Cowboys. That obviously happened so Hurts playing next week just got more likely. Which means Philadelphia losing again became less likely.

Of course, this is the NFL, where the unlikely happens all the time. The Texans just beat the Titans after all.