If the Minnesota Vikings defeat the Washington Redskins this Sunday, January 2, they'll advance to the NFL Playoffs for the first time since 2000, when they moved onto the NFC Championship game vs. the NY Giants. That win would seal the number 5 seed in the playoffs sending the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC West Winner.

The Minnesota Vikings can also make the playoffs with a loss. If the Redskins drop the Minnesota Vikings, they can advance with either a St. Louis Rams loss or a Carolina Panthers loss.

St. Louis hosts the New York Jets and Carolina hosts the New Orleans Saints.

With a loss on Sunday the Minnesota Vikings only hope for a number 5 seed in the playoffs would be a loss by both the Rams and the Panthers. That would leave them tied with New Orleans at 8-8. The head to head victory over the Saints on October 17 would give the Minnesota Vikings the advantage.

Despite the Minnesota Vikings struggles against the Redskins, we all know that our offense can score points and rack up yards. If the Minnesota Vikings scores 30 against the Packers, Falcons, or whomever, I am betting on the Purple. It has been well-documented that the Minnesota Vikings defense has struggled at times, and for long periods of time, but they have looked much better the last couple of weeks. Sure they have still given up points to second-rung offenses like the Redskins, Lions, and Bears, but they have not looked as rough as they had earlier in the season. The Minnesota Vikings have at least appeared good enough to hold the Packers under 30—that I am confident in. I think that any NFC team—the Terrell Owens-less Eagles included—is going to struggle against the cream of the crop in the AFC come Super Bowl Sunday.