The Vikings were officially eliminated from playoff contention in Week 15, capping a disappointing season and shifting focus toward draft position and the future under J.J. McCarthy.
The Minnesota Vikings won't be returning to the playoffs in 2025.
After the Chicago Bears beat the Cleveland Browns 28-3 on Sunday, the Vikings were officially eliminated from the playoffs. They entered Week 15 with a less than 0.1% chance of making the playoffs, the lowest among all NFC teams that were still mathematically alive.
The Vikings entered this week at 5-8, making NBC's decision to keep their matchup with the Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1) on Sunday Night Football confusing. According to Next Gen Stats, the Cowboys currently only have a 7% chance of making the playoffs. A loss to the Vikings drops them to 1%, while a win only takes them up to 10%.
It has been a disappointing year for the Vikings, who decided to move on from Sam Darnold after a 14-3 season in 2024. They believed that 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy could be propped up by their coaching staff and supporting cast.
Instead, the Vikings' offense has been a disaster. A 31-0 win over the Washington Commanders last week was encouraging for McCarthy, who threw three touchdowns, but it proved to be too little, too late. Minnesota entered Week 15 with the league's 28th-ranked offense.
The Vikings haven't made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 2008-09. This year ensures that the streak will continue for at least two more years, as it resets in 2026.
As it currently stands, the Vikings would have the 11th pick in the 2026 NFL draft. A win on Sunday night could begin to drop them down the draft board. The Miami Dolphins play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. If Minnesota and Miami both win, the Vikings would drop to the 13th overall pick.
That reality may change how some fans watch the final four games. If they hadn't already, fans now have an incentive to root for the Vikings to lose as many games as possible the rest of the season. After Sunday night, Minnesota’s final three games are at the New York Giants and at home against the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.