The NFC has a surprise at the top, and it’s wearing purple. With the San Francisco 49ers taking a Week 7 loss, the Minnesota Vikings are alone as the conference’s only undefeated team at 6-0.
That leaves Minnesota in the No. 1 spot heading into Week 8, while the 49ers slide to No. 2 at 6-1. The Kansas City Chiefs still have a chance to match the Vikings’ spotless record, but they have to get through Sunday night first.
The bigger shock might be what’s happening in the NFC North, where every team is still above .500. Chicago picked up a win Sunday to move to 5-2, while Detroit edged Green Bay in a tight finish to improve to 4-2.
That dropped the Packers to 4-3 and into the division cellar, even though they’re still in the playoff mix. By the end of Week 7, all four NFC North teams are sitting in postseason position.
Here’s how the NFC playoff field looks after Week 7:
- Minnesota Vikings (6-0)
- San Francisco 49ers (6-1)
- New York Giants (4-2-1)
- Carolina Panthers (3-3)
- Chicago Bears (5-2)
- Detroit Lions (4-2)
- Green Bay Packers (4-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (3-3) - Sunday Night Footbal l
- Atlanta Falcons (3-4, 3-2 NFC)
- Los Angeles Rams (3-4, 2-2 NFC)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) - Monday Night Football
- Dallas Cowboys (2-4) - Monday Night Football
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5, 1-0 NFCS)
- New Orleans Saints (2-5, 0-1 NFCS, 1-3 NFC)
- Arizona Cardinals (2-5, 1-4 NFC)
- Washington Commanders (1-4-1)
In Other News...
Vikings Cannot Afford Extra Pressure Before Their Schedule Turns Brutal
The bye week gives Minnesota a chance to reset before it gets back on the field against an Indianapolis team still adjusting after the Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard. The Vikings are favored in the matchup, and on paper this is the kind of game a team in their spot is expected to handle if it wants to keep its footing as the season tightens.
The pressure only grows from there. Minnesotas schedule is about to turn far less forgiving, and there is little margin for a stumble before it reaches a stretch that will tell a lot more about this team, including meetings with Buffalo, San Francisco and Green Bay. ESPNs Football Power Index still gives the Vikings a healthy edge Sunday, but the bigger test is whether they can use this one to stay ahead of the storm instead of getting caught in it. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Could Get Dragged Into A Costly RB Bidding War
The market for veteran help could get busy well before the trade deadline, and Jonathan Taylor is the name drawing the most attention. Indianapolis is said to be considering dealing off some established players as it navigates the next 16 days, with Taylor emerging as the most notable possible chip. Minnesota is among the teams reportedly monitoring the situation, along with Green Bay, Seattle and Denver, which sets the stage for a race that could turn expensive fast.
For the Vikings, the intrigue goes beyond simply adding a running back. A player of Taylors profile would almost certainly bring serious interest from multiple contenders, and Indianapolis is not limiting its discussions to one name either. The Colts are also believed to be weighing other veteran options such as DeForest Buckner, Quenton Nelson and Grover Stewart, which leaves plenty of room for movement but no certainty that any deal actually gets done. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings-Colts Suddenly Has A Trade Watch Storyline Fans Will Notice
The Colts front office shake-up added an unexpected layer to a Week 9 matchup that already had plenty of intrigue for Minnesota. Indianapolis recently relieved general manager Chris Ballard of his duties and turned the job over to Ed Dodds on an interim basis, and now the focus shifts to a Sunday meeting with the undefeated Vikings that could be watched just as closely for what happens off the field as on it.
For Minnesota, the timing matters because the trade deadline is inching closer on Nov. 10, and the receiver market is one area worth monitoring. Josh Downs has emerged as a name to keep in mind if the Vikings decide they want to explore help at wideout, giving Sundays game a little extra weight for a team that could be looking beyond the scoreboard while it plays out in Indianapolis. [Read more 🡒]