The NFL playoff scenarios, particularly for the AFC wild card spots, are unbearably complicated (unless the Ravens and Jets win, at which point they're frighteningly simple).
In the NFC, all six playoff teams are determined; the order, however, is far from simple. The Vikings could be the No. 2, 3 or 4 seed. The Cowboys could be No. 2, 3, 4 or 6. And so on. All we know for sure is the Saints are No. 1 ... and that a meeting between the Vikings and Packers at any point in the playoffs appears to be a long shot.
Take a look at this handy chart put together by former colleague Kevin Seifert. There are 8 possible combinations in the three games that matter Sunday (Vikes/Giants, Packers/Cardinals, Eagles/Cowboys). Out of those 8 combinations, only one of them leads to a first-round matchup between the Vikings and Packers. That would be if Minnesota lost to the Giants, the Eagles beat the Cowboys and the Cardinals beat the Packers. That would make Minnesota the No. 4 seed, while the Packers (at 10-6, just as the Cowboys would be but with the head-to-head tiebreaker) would be the No. 5.
If the Vikings beat the Giants, there is no way they play the Packers in the first round. Furthermore, it would be pretty difficult for Minnesota to play Green Bay in the division round as well. If Minnesota gets a bye (by beating the Giants while Dallas beats Philly), the Packers will either be the No. 5 or No. 6 seed depending on whether they defeat the Cardinals on Sunday. If the Packers are the No. 6 seed, they would be guaranteed to play the Saints in the division round should they win in the opening round. If they are the No. 5 seed, they would have to win (at Arizona) and have the No. 6 seed (Philly) win at Dallas in order to earn a date at the Metrodome (because the lowest-seeded team automatically plays the highest seeded team, and if No. 3 Dallas won against Philly, that would be Minnesota's opponent).
There is a chance for the teams to meet in the NFC title game, but that would involve the Packers winning two road games (they don't have a road win over a decent team all season) while the Vikings would have to win at least one game and possibly two (something that would necessitate the 10-1 Vikings showing up instead of the 1-3 group we are currently watching).
Given all that, we'd say it's doubtful at best that Favre v. Rodgers, Part III will ever take place. Then again, we never would have imagined No. 4 would wear purple. So anything is possible.
