Vikings tumble in the NFC playoff picture after loss

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 09: Carson Wentz #11 of the Minnesota Vikings hands the ball to Aaron Jones Sr. #33 against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 09, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images When Week 9 started, the Minnesota Vikings found themselves in the #2 spot in the NFC playoff race, just behind the San Francisco 49ers. After their loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, they’re now not only not on top of the NFC North, they’re not even in second place in the NFL’s best division, either.With every other team in the NFC North winning in Week 9, the Vikings are now in third place in the NFC North, behind both the Chicago Bears, who take over the division’s top spot, and the Detroit Lions, who have the same 6-2 record as the Vikings do but have the head-to-head tiebreaker of the Vikings thanks to their Week 8 victory.The 49ers. . .who the Vikings will see on Sunday Night Football in Mexico City in two weeks. . .continue to hold the top spot in the conference and the lone NFC bye with a 7-1 record.NFC North standings after Week 91. Chicago Bears (7-2)2. Detroit Lions (6-2, win over MIN)3. Minnesota Vikings (6-2, loss to DET)7. Green Bay Packers (6-3)NFC playoff standings after the Vikings’ loss on MNF1. San Francisco 49ers (7-1)2. Chicago Bears (7-2)3. New York Giants (5-2-1)4. Carolina Panthers (3-5, 1-1 NFCS)5. Detroit Lions (6-2, win over MIN)6. Minnesota Vikings (6-2, loss to DET)7. Green Bay Packers (6-3)8. Seattle Seahawks (5-4, 2-1 NFCW)9. Los Angeles Rams (5-4, 0-2 NFCW)10. Dallas Cowboys (4-5)11. New Orleans Saints (3-5, 0-1 NFCS)12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6, win over ATL, 3-3 NFC)13. Atlanta Falcons (3-6, loss to TB, 3-3 NFC)14. Arizona Cardinals (3-6, 2-5 NFC)15. Washington Commanders (2-5-1)16. Philadelphia Eagles (2-7)And yes, this means that, if the season ended today, the Vikings would have a first-round playoff date at MetLife Stadium against the New York Football Giants and their new starting quarterback. . .J.J. McCarthy.You know. . .not that anyone would notice, I’m sure.The Vikings have a date with the Packers at Lambeau Field next Sunday at noon Central Time in a game that will continue to shape the NFC playoff picture.