The Vikings’ hopes of creating the playoffs for the second yr in a row took an enormous hit on Saturday due to their crushing 27-24 time beyond regulation loss to the Bengals.
Per The New York Times playoff predictor, Minnesota (7-7) would have had an 84% likelihood of reaching the playoffs with a win. The loss dropped the probability of Minnesota making the postseason to 59%.
These are nonetheless respectable odds, however the loss removes Minnesota’s margin for error going ahead. The Vikings finish the season with two video games in opposition to NFC North-leading Detroit and Inexperienced Bay.
If Minnesota gained on Saturday, NYT’s playoff predictor gave it a 75% likelihood of reaching the playoffs with a loss in Week 16 to the Lions. Nonetheless, due to the loss to Cincy, if the Vikes drop subsequent week’s sport in opposition to Detroit, its probabilities of making the playoffs will dip to 44%.
Minnesota will probably be preventing for its playoff life subsequent week, and it might need a quarterback controversy to kind by earlier than it performs the Lions.
Quarterback Nick Mullens single-handedly torpedoed two potential scoring drives with questionable selections and likewise did not convert an important fourth-and-inches in time beyond regulation.
He completed the sport 26-of-33 for 303 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, however his inability to avoid costly mistakes would possibly give head coach Kevin O’Connell pause about beginning him subsequent week.
The issue is Minnesota is out of choices.
Journeyman Joshua Dobbs provided diminishing returns in every of his previous three begins when he went 52-of-87 (59.8%) for 466 yards, two touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Rookie Jaren Corridor barely bought a possibility earlier than struggling a concussion in opposition to the Falcons however may be too uncooked for O’Connell to belief with the crew’s playoff hopes on the road.
The Vikings’ path to the postseason bought way more troublesome with the blow they took on Saturday. With powerful divisional video games and a query at quarterback, they may be unable to get better from it.