Vikings can seal playoff fate during two-game home stretch

The Minnesota Vikings are slipping a bit, but they still control their own destiny. 

Although they've lost three of their last four games to drop to 8-5 on the season, the Vikings will clinch a playoff berth with wins in Week 15 and 16, according to Jim Souhan of the Star-Tribune. They and the the Seattle Seahawks are currently projected to earn the NFC's two Wild Card spots; the rest of the teams in the hunt trail by at least two games.

It should help that the Vikings are home for the next two weeks. They take on the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank this Sunday, then they host the New York Giants the following Sunday. The Bears and Giants both have losing records at the moment, so these are very winnable games.

The Vikings can still win the NFC North title, too. They are one game behind the 9-4 Green Bay Packers after Week 14, but they face each other in the season finale. The Packers won the first meeting at Lambeau Field, 30-13, in Week 11.