Despite the Vikings winning four more games than the Rams throughout the regular season, it will be Los Angeles that hosts its wild-card weekend matchup against Minnesota.
Because the Vikings fell to the Lions in Week 18, they finished as the NFC's No. 5 seed with a 14-3 record. Sam Darnold and company will have to make a playoff run through a wild-card spot, and their potential journey begins with a road matchup against one of two teams that beat Minnesota this season.
After winning the NFC West with a 10-7 record, the Rams earned the right to host a playoff game as the NFC's No. 4 seed. Winners in five of their past six games, the Rams will be looking to ride their recent hot streak against a talented Minnesota squad.
The winner of Vikings vs. Rams will advance to the divisional round, but their opponent is currently up in the air. Varying wild-card weekend results could dictate which team the winner of the matchup will play next.
Here's the full breakdown of who Minnesota or Los Angeles could face in the divisional round if they win in their first playoff matchup.
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Who will the Vikings or Rams play next?
Because seven teams make the NFC playoff bracket, with the lowest remaining seed destined to take on the top-seeded Lions in Detroit in the divisional round, there were initially a few scenarios at play for the Vikings-Rams winner. With all other games wrapped up, however, each team will enter Monday knowing their destination, should they win.
No. 2 Eagles
Because the Commanders earned a road win over the Buccaneers, the winner of Monday's game in Arizona will go to Philadelphia to face the Eagles on Sunday. The Eagles will welcome either Matthew Stafford and the Rams or Sam Darnold and the Vikings to a potentially frigid Lincoln Financial Field.
MORE: Power ranking the 14 NFL playoff teams
NFL playoff bracket 2025
