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Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins
The Minnesota Vikings need all the help they can get with keeping a sliver of playoff hopes alive in the locker room — and former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins played his part.
On “Thursday Night Football,” the Atlanta Falcons were down to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by 14 points before Cousins recaptured his glory days in Minnesota, mounting a three-score comeback in the game’s final minutes to clinch a 29-28 comeback victory on the road.
Cousins threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns and led a 9-play, 45-yard drive that included a 21-yard connection with Davis Sills on fourth-and-14 to move Atlanta into field goal range in the final minute of regulation.
The Falcons win thwarted Tampa Bay (7-7) from gaining more ground in the postseason with four games remaining in the season. The Carolina Panthers (7-6) and Buccaneers are candidates for one of the three NFC wild-card spots.
According to The Athletic’s playoff simulator, Atlanta (5-9) is eliminated from playoff contention, but its win keeps the Vikings (5-8) holding on for another week.
The Miracle Playoff Scenario Keeping Vikings Playing Competitive for JJ McCarthy
While the playoffs have felt like a foregone conclusion for Minnesota, the Vikings have yet to be mathematically eliminated, which can mean a lot for a locker room that is trying to continue to play meaningful games and reps for J.J. McCarthy.
The Athletic has the Vikings with a less than 1% chance at the postseason, but stranger things have happened for this franchise.
Winning out is the non-starter, but after that, the Vikings will need plenty of help. Currently 11th in the NFC, the Vikings need the following to happen along with finishing with a 9-8 record.
From Sports Illustrated’s Joe Nelson:
Here’s the help the Vikings need in Week 15, and how their chance to make the playoffs rises with each ingredient, according to The Athletic’s Playoff Predictor. All of these are coupled with Vikings wins.
Browns beat Bears — 2% chance Vikings make the playoffs
Rams beat Lions — 3% chance Vikings make the playoffs
Here’s the help they need in Week 16:
Packers beat Bears — 6% chance Vikings make the playoffs
Steelers beat Lions — 19% chance Vikings make the playoffs
Here’s the help they need in Week 17:
Commanders beat Cowboys — 24% chance Vikings make the playoffs
Seahawks beat Panthers — 25% chance Vikings make the playoffs
49ers beat Bears — 49% chance Vikings make the playoffs
Here’s the help they need in Week 18:
Lions beat Bears — 81% chance Vikings make the playoffs
Here’s a wider view of what needs to happen:
Vikings win out to finish 9-8
Bears lose out to finish 9-8
Lions finish 9-8, with their only remaining win coming against the Bears
Cowboys lose at least two more games, including to the Vikings
South runner-up (Panthers or Bucs) finish 9-8 or worse
That’s a tough ask: a Chicago Bears team, enjoying their version of the Vikings’ 2022 season with Cousins, to lose out. The rest of the NFC North will have to stumble as well.
However, until it’s official, the Vikings can hang their hats on fighting, which is important for team morale as they’re just starting to find their form with McCarthy.
JJ McCarthy Faces Tough Test in Final Audition for Vikings
McCarthy took a step in the right direction, completing 16 of 23 pass attempts for 163 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-0 win over the Washington Commanders last week.
His next test? McCarthy may be asked to outduel Dak Prescott, who is leading the Dallas Cowboys as one of the league’s most potent offenses.
Dallas ranks third in points for and No. 1 in total yards. However, the Cowboys defense looks primed for a productive outing for McCarthy, ranking 31st in points allowed and 29th in yards allowed.
Trevor Squire is a sports journalist covering the NFL and NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks. Trevor studied journalism at the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities, making stops at the Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. You can reach him at trevor.squire@heavy.com and follow him on Twitter @trevordsquire. More about Trevor Squire
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