The NFL moved three games for COVID-19 reasons, one to Monday and two to Tuesday. So, with the Vikings playing at Chicago on Monday, Peterson now can watch on Tuesday.
“Yeah, it’s crazy,’’ Peterson said Friday afternoon. “There will be games (Saturday), Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday …”
On Tuesday, Washington (6-7) will play at Philadelphia (6-7), a game that impacts the Vikings (6-7) in the playoff race, and Peterson is planning to watch. He said “no doubt about it” he is paying close attention to playoff positioning.
Minnesota enters Monday’s game in the No. 8 spot in the NFC, and seven teams will make the postseason. If the Vikings beat the Bears and Washington loses Tuesday, they will move up to No. 7. But if Washington, which has the season tiebreaker over the Vikings, wins, it would stay at No. 7.
Wins by both Minnesota and Philadelphia would leave Eagles at No. 8 since they don’t have a tiebreaker but they have an easier closing schedule. The Vikings will finish with games against the Los Angeles Rams, at Green Bay and against Chicago while the Eagles close with games against the New York Giants, at Washington and against Dallas.
After Sunday’s action, the Vikings’ chances of landing the No. 6 seed decreased with San Francisco’s 31-13 win over Atlanta. The 49ers are 8-6 and hold the tiebreaker over the Vikings, so they will be very tough for Minnesota to catch. The loss dropped the Falcons to 6-8, and they are getting close to being done due to not having a tiebreaker over the Vikings.
For now, Minnesota, a six-point favorite, will look to stave off an upset at Chicago (4-9).
“We have to take care of our own business,’’ said head coach Mike Zimmer. “This game is extremely important to us as is the next three. … I think our guys understand this is basically a four-game season for us, and we talked about that as far as what we need to do to get to where we want to be.’’
However, when the Vikings aren’t playing, several players said they are paying close attention to what teams they are battling for playoff positioning are doing.
“I’ve been … watching those key games that’d boost us up in the playoffs,’’ said wide receiver Justin Jefferson. “I’ve definitely been watching those games that we need. But I mean, it’s all on us at the end of the day. We shouldn’t have ourselves in this situation, all those close game we lost that we should’ve won. … All we can do is go out there and win those games we have left.’’
All seven of Minnesota’s losses have been by eight points or less, and have been by a combined total of 28 points.
With Minnesota scrambling to make the playoffs, Peterson didn’t deny he was rooting against Washington on Dec. 12, when the Vikings were off after beating Pittsburgh 36-28 on Dec. 9. And Washington lost 27-20 to Dallas to help Minnesota.
“I watch,’’ quarterback Kirk Cousins said of keeping an eye on key games. “I always try to not get too worked up about things I can’t control. You understand the preferred outcomes, but you try not to put too much energy spent on it.’’
Fullback C.J. Ham puts a priority of spending time with his family, but he still keeps his phone handy then Vikings are off and games are being played.
“I’ll get on my phone quick and check updates and check the scores and see where everything falls,’’ he said.
COVID woes
The Bears on Sunday placed starting cornerback Jaylon Johnson and starting safety Tashaun Gipson on the COVID-19 reserve list, further depleting their secondary.
Chicago has 14 players on the list, including two who were most recently on the practice squad but have played in games this season. Of their five defensive backs who started Dec. 12 at Green Bay, cornerback Xavier Crawford has been ruled out Monday with a concussion and the other four are on the COVID list. The other starting defensive backs on the list are safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Artie Burns.
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December 20, 2021 at 09:02AM
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Vikings keeping close tabs on teams they're battling for playoff positioning - Pine Journal
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