Vikings lose both one game and the NFC lead
The Vikings are no longer unbeaten and no longer the top team in the NFC.
The Minnesota Vikings have taken a significant hit, losing not only their unbeaten record but also their position at the top of the NFC playoff standings. On Sunday, November 01, 2026, the Vikings fell behind the San Francisco 49ers, who now hold the lead with a strength of victory of .427.
The Vikings' strength of victory stands at .409, which is still impressive but not enough to surpass the 49ers. The NFC playoff standings after Week 8 show the Vikings in second place, closely followed by the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers.
The Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears are tied with the Vikings at third place, with both teams having records of 5-2, including two wins in NFC games. The Green Bay Packers round out the NFC North with a 5-3 record.
The 49ers' path to the playoffs is still uncertain, as it hinges on Strength of Victory tiebreaker. The teams they have defeated are stronger than those the Vikings have beaten. The 49ers' wins include games against the Rams, Dolphins, Cardinals, Broncos, Seahawks, and Commanders, while the Vikings' wins are against the Packers, Bears, Buccaneers, Dolphins, Saints, and Colts.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
