By virtue of their 9-8 record and third-place finish in the NFC North, the Vikings know who their opponents will be next season and where they will pick in the first round of the NFL draft.
More from Vikings
RandBall: J.J. McCarthy, Brian Flores talk dominates Vikings broadcast
Sunday’s 16-3 Vikings win felt like a preseason game at times, not the regular-season finale.
AuthoredMichael Rand
AuthoredMichael RandJanuary 5, 2026
Steelers, Panthers, Jaguars secure division titles. Broncos clinch AFC’s No. 1 seed
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers sent Lamar Jackson and the Ravens home for the playoffs. The Panthers are NFC South champions for the first time in 10 years. The Broncos are the AFC's No. 1 seed.
January 5, 2026
Analysis: Vikings wrap up key subplots in season finale, but leave a big cliffhanger
The Vikings executed plans to honor Harrison Smith, C.J. Ham and Justin Jefferson during a 16-3 win over the Packers, but questions about J.J. McCarthy remain unanswered. 
AuthoredBen Goessling
AuthoredBen GoesslingJanuary 5, 2026
Vikings teammates, fans say possible final goodbye to Smith, Ham
From the coin toss to the postgame festivities, Smith and Ham were celebrated as if their 24 combined Vikings seasons are coming to an end, though neither player made it official.
January 5, 2026
Key stats that defined the Vikings’ 2025 season: Injuries, turnovers and more
An inconsistent offensive line and an anemic passing game were among the Vikings’ biggest problems during a disappointing year.
January 5, 2026
Myles Garrett breaks NFL single-season sack record with 23 and laments not getting 2 more
The night before Myles Garrett got his 23rd sack to break the NFL single-season record, he had a nightmare that he fell short of the mark.
January 5, 2026
Souhan: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy ends the season on the sideline, with a lot to prove
McCarthy, still bothered by an injured right hand, bowed out of his last chance this season to impress his coaches and Vikings fans.
AuthoredJim Souhan
AuthoredJim SouhanJanuary 4, 2026
Takeaways: Vikings finish with a 16-3 win over the Packers; J.J. McCarthy exits early
The Vikings end the 2025 NFL season at 9-8, closing with a five-game winning streak and a celebration of Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham.
January 4, 2026
Recap: How the Vikings reached milestones, celebrated their veterans and beat the Packers
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy left in the third quarter after aggravating his hand injury, but the Vikings were not tested against a Green Bay team resting for the playoffs.
January 4, 2026
Souhan: What's next for Vikings leaders O'Connell, Adofo-Mensah and Flores?
The Vikings’ 2025 season wraps up Sunday against the Packers. Are any major changes on the horizon in the wake of a disappointing season? AuthoredJim Souhan
AuthoredJim SouhanJanuary 4, 2026
Analysis: Was the Vikings' 2025 season encouraging or infuriating?
The Vikings, somehow, were tantalizingly close to a playoff spot. What conclusions will they draw from what went wrong?AuthoredBen Goessling
AuthoredBen GoesslingJanuary 4, 2026
Week 18 NFL picks: Did Matthew Stafford throw away the MVP award or was it Drake Maye’s all along?
On the NFL Insider Mark Craig breaks down the end-of-year award contenders and the last battles for playoff spots. 
AuthoredMark Craig
AuthoredMark CraigJanuary 3, 2026
