Minnesota Vikings Elimination Scenarios

One year after finishing tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the second-most wins in the NFL during the regular season, the Vikings’ playoff hopes could end in the first week of December with a loss to the Washington Commanders.

There is also a scenario at play in which the Vikings-Commanders game ends in a tie and Minnesota is eliminated, but the simplest scenario for the team to keep hope alive for another week would be to win on Sunday.

Washington Commanders Elimination Scenarios

The 2025 season for the Commanders has been a huge disappointment, with injuries to key players largely at the center of their struggles.

After reaching the NFC Championship Game last season, the Commanders could be eliminated from playoff contention as soon as Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Even if they manage to win that game, the Philadelphia Eagles not losing on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers will knock them out.

Atlanta Falcons Elimination Scenarios

There are few teams that have had a more bleak 2025 than the Falcons. Michael Penix Jr. has only made 12 starts through his first two seasons and will spend the offseason rehabbing from another major knee injury.

The Falcons could be eliminated from playoff contention as soon as Week 14, and they don’t even have a first-round pick in the 2026 draft to look forward to. They will send their pick, currently No. 9 overall, to the Los Angeles Rams.

New York Jets Elimination Scenarios

The Jets have been playing respectable with three wins in their last five games after starting the season 0-7, but their playoff drought could officially extend to 15 years as soon as Sunday afternoon.

Cleveland Browns Elimination Scenarios

Week 14 at least presents a scenario in which the Browns could be favored going into a December game against a Tennessee Titans team that currently owns the NFL’s worst record (1-11).

A loss would eliminate Cleveland from playoff contention for the second consecutive year and 24th time in 27 seasons since the franchise returned to the NFL in 1999.