Sports Magic Numbers @SportsMagicNum
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Minnesota Vikings (MIN)

NFC North • Record: 3-0 (1.000) •No. 1 seed — first-round bye
Race:

Seed Leading the NFC North (No. 1 seed) — Lions 1 game back
Numbers Magic path: chasing a wild card — 11 rivals contending for 3 spots
Magic # 14
Tragic # 16
Division titleMagic 14 · Tragic 16
No. 1 seed (bye)Magic 15 · Tragic 15
Playoff odds 95.5%
Division 71.2% • Wild card 24.4% • Bye 42.1%
Full league odds →
Magic counts down to clinching — drops as you win or bubble teams lose. A tie is half a game.
Tragic counts down to elimination — drops as you lose or the chaser wins.

This week's rooting guide — Week 4


Live rooting guide — it updates as games go final, so items may disappear.
Showing this week's remaining games that can still affect your numbers.
Your game
  • If Vikings beat Dolphins this week, your Magic number -1.
    Magic -1
  • If Vikings lose to Dolphins this week, your Tragic number -1.
    Tragic -1
Other games
Any 1 of these 5 results moves your numbers: Magic -1.
  • Root for Jets to beat Bears this week.
  • Root for Cardinals to beat Giants this week.
  • Root for Rams to beat Eagles this week.
  • Root for Chargers to beat Seahawks this week.
  • Root for Panthers to beat Lions this week.

What-if explorer

Drag the sliders — the numbers recalculate instantly using the site's real playoff math.
If Vikings go 5-0 while Lions go 3-2:
Magic # 14 → 8Magic -6 Tragic # 16 → 16
Assumes these games come against teams outside your race; every other rival's record stays as-is.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Minnesota Vikings magic number right now?

The Minnesota Vikings magic number is currently 14. Any combination of Minnesota Vikings wins (a tie counts as half) and losses by the team chasing them that adds up to 14 clinches a playoff spot.

What is the Minnesota Vikings elimination number?

The Minnesota Vikings elimination number is 16. When it hits 0 the team is mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. It shrinks when the Minnesota Vikings lose or when the team chasing them gains ground.

What are the Minnesota Vikings playoff odds?

Based on 10,000 simulations of the remaining schedule, the Minnesota Vikings make the playoffs in about 95.5% of outcomes.

What is a magic number in football?

A magic number is the combined total of team wins and chasing-team losses that guarantees a playoff spot — a division title or one of the three wild cards in the conference. A tie counts as half a game. When it reaches 0, the spot is clinched no matter what happens in the remaining games.

When did the Minnesota Vikings last make the playoffs?

The Minnesota Vikings last made the NFL playoffs in 2024, missing the postseason once since.

When did the Minnesota Vikings last win the Super Bowl?

The Minnesota Vikings have never won the Super Bowl.

How often are these numbers updated?

Standings and magic numbers on Sports Magic Numbers refresh throughout the day and after every NFL game, so the numbers here reflect the live playoff race.

Full guide: how magic numbers work →