Vikings playoff scenarios entering Week 15: How J.J. McCarthy and Co. can clinch a postseason berth after trailing last in the NFC North

The Minnesota Vikings snapped their four-game skid on Sunday versus the Washington Commanders. However, their playoff hopes remain extremely faint.

The Vikings (5-8) are No. 11 in the NFC and could be the next team eliminated from playoff contention after another loss. Unless a series of results favor them, Minnesota is on the verge of being eliminated from the playoff race as early as this week.

Minnesota Vikings playoff chances after Week 14

The Minnesota Vikings’ chances of making the postseason are slim. They need to win their last four games and hope for multiple favorable results across the NFC.

Minnesota’s inconsistency has been a major obstacle all year; however, Sunday’s 31-0 victory over the Washington Commanders provided the team with a temporary boost. The Vikings shift focus their focus to Week 15 versus the Dallas Cowboys (6-6), who are also clinging to hopes of extending their season.

Should Minnesota win, it needs the Cleveland Browns to beat the Chicago Bears and the LA Rams to take down the Detroit Lions.

Sports Illustrated's Joe Nelson detailed the full scenario for the Vikings to make the playoffs. They must win out and hope that the Bears lose all of their remaining games and the Lions win only over Chicago. The Carolina Panthers must also be defeated at least twice, and the Cowboys must drop two more games. Only then will Minnesota’s playoff dream survive.

Sportskeeda’s playoff predictor has the Vikings finishing at the bottom of the NFC North and missing the postseason.

Minnesota Vikings' schedule for the rest of the season

The Minnesota Vikings’ final stretch begins with a road matchup versus the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. It will be followed by a game against the NFC's bottom team, the New York Giants, in Week 16.

The Vikings will return home for a crucial two-game stretch. They will host the Detroit Lions (8-5) in Week 17 and close the season versus the division-leading Green Bay Packers (9-3).