His name is Bobert Paulson. His name is Bobert Paulson. His name is Bobert Paulson.
The NFC playoff picture is taking shape. As of Tuesday December 11, 2018, it sits thusly:
- Saints (11-2)
- Rams (11-2)
- Bears (9-4)
- Cowboys (8-5)
- Seahawks (8-5)
- Vikings (6-6-1)
Yes folks, the current sixth seed in the NFC is the Minnesota Vikings and their .500 record. Hot on the Vikings’ heels are the Panthers, Eagles, and Redskins, all of whom are 6-7, and the Packers at 5-7-1. Meanwhile, another three teams (Buccaneers, Giants, and Lions) are 5-8.
This, folks, is the mess of a race for the final playoff spot in the NFC. None of the teams listed at 7-13 is good, at all. And yet, the Vikings, who made the NFCCG last year only to get smoked by the Eagles, and who, if rumors can be believed, are chalk-full of talent, are unable to separate from that lowly crowd.
Indeed, since their week ten bye, the Vikings have lost three of four and fallen back to the pack (literally, as their continued failure to be good at football has kept the playoff hopes of the Packers alive). They finish the season by playing at home against the Dolphins (7-6), going to Detroit to visit the Lions (5-8), and finishing the year at home against the division leading Bears (9-4). To this writer’s eyes, anything from 3-0 to 0-3 is a possibility over that stretch of games. The rest of the conference is trying to give away that final spot. Will the Vikings take it?