Vikings' Playoff Hopes Hang by a Thread - and on the Arm of a Rookie in Cleveland
The Minnesota Vikings are still technically alive in the NFC playoff race, but at this point, their path to the postseason is more wishful thinking than realistic roadmap. Still, as improbable as it may seem, the door hasn’t completely slammed shut - and oddly enough, a rookie quarterback in Cleveland could be holding the key this weekend.
Heading into Week 15, Minnesota’s playoff chances sit at less than one percent, according to the latest data. That’s not just slim - that’s threadbare.
But as long as there’s a mathematical path, the Vikings are clinging to it. And that path starts with two things: Minnesota beating the Cowboys on Sunday night, and the Cleveland Browns pulling off a major upset in Chicago earlier that afternoon.
Let’s break it down.
Vikings Need to Win Out - and Get a Lot of Help
The Vikings need to do their part first: win every one of their final four games. That’s a tall order on its own, especially with a primetime showdown against a tough Dallas team coming up. But even if they run the table, they’ll need help - specifically, a complete collapse from the 9-4 Chicago Bears.
That means Minnesota isn’t just scoreboard-watching on Sunday - they’re full-on rooting for the 3-10 Browns to stun the Bears at Soldier Field. And that brings us to Shedeur Sanders.
Shedeur Sanders: The Rookie with a Chance to Shake Up the NFC
Sanders, Cleveland’s rookie quarterback, is coming off his best game as a pro. In Week 14, he lit it up for 363 passing yards, three touchdowns through the air, and added a rushing score for good measure. It was the kind of performance that turns heads - and gives a little hope to a team like Minnesota, desperately in need of a miracle.
Now, Sanders will try to replicate that magic against a Bears defense that’s been both opportunistic and vulnerable. Yes, Chicago has forced plenty of turnovers this season, but they’ve also been gashed through the air. They currently rank 28th in the league in yards allowed per pass attempt and have surrendered five passing touchdowns in their last two outings.
So while the Bears are favored by more than a touchdown - 7.5 points, to be exact - this isn’t exactly a lock. Cleveland has struggled mightily in games like this, going just 1-37 since 2011 when entering as road underdogs of 7.5 points or more.
That lone win came back in 2019 against the Ravens. But this is a different Browns team, and Sanders is the only quarterback to lead them to a road win this season.
Cleveland’s Defense Could Be the X-Factor
It’s not just Sanders who could tilt the game - Cleveland’s defense could have a say as well. The Browns are generating pressure at one of the highest rates in the league, ranking third with a pressure rate of 41.6 percent.
That’s bad news for Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who’s struggled mightily when under duress. In fact, he ranks dead last in the NFL in completion percentage under pressure at just 36 percent.
If Cleveland can get to Williams early and often, and if Sanders can keep up the momentum from last week, the Browns have a shot to make things interesting - and give the Vikings a sliver of hope.
A Long Shot, But Not Impossible
Let’s be clear: Chicago is the rightful favorite in this matchup. They’ve won every home game since their Week 1 loss - ironically, to the Vikings - and they’re playing with the confidence of a team that still has plenty to fight for.
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned in this league, it’s that December football has a way of flipping the script. Sanders is coming off a breakout performance, and the Bears’ secondary has been leaky enough to give him a chance. Add in a Cleveland pass rush that could rattle Williams, and suddenly, the idea of an upset doesn’t sound so far-fetched.
For the Vikings, that’s the kind of chaos they need. Their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread - but as long as that thread holds, they’ll be watching, waiting, and hoping that a rookie in Cleveland can deliver one more surprise.