In what arguably constitutes the biggest win for the franchise since blowing out the Cowboys in the 2009 postseason, the Vikings have beaten the other team from Texas, sending the squad with the best record in the AFC from 12-2 to 12-3.
The upset keeps the Vikings alive for a playoff berth, and it also puts the Texans in jeopardy of blowing the top seed in the AFC.
If the Texans lose next week to the Colts, where Houston has never ever ever never ever ever ever won, and if the Broncos win their last two games (vs. Browns and Chiefs) or if the Patriots hang on to beat the Jags and best the Fins next Sunday, the Texans will be the No. 2 seed at best.
And if both those things happen, the Texans will be the No. 3 seed.
The Vikings’ path to the postseason is murkier; they need to beat the Packers next Sunday, and the Vikings need help. We’ll break it all down as the dust settles on this afternoon’s games.
Still, the Vikings may have a better shot at getting to the playoffs than Adrian Peterson has at getting the single-season rushing record. With 86 yards today, he needs 208 to break Eric Dickerson’s high-water mark of 2,105.