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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Gilberto Manzano

What We Learned in Week 17: Vikings Capable of Earning NFC’s No. 1 Seed

Darnold, right, set a record Sunday for most wins by a quarterback in his first season with a new team. | Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Better get used to seeing the Minnesota Vikings atop the NFC standings, because they’re well positioned to clinch the No. 1 seed after a signature victory over the Green Bay Packers.

The Vikings (14–2), who have a nine-game winning streak, might not hold the top spot for long if the Detroit Lions (13–2) handle business Monday night vs. the San Francisco 49ers. But the NFC North title and No. 1 seed will be on the line for the Week 18 showdown between Minnesota and Detroit at Ford Field regardless of what occurs Monday night. The Vikings are in that position because Sam Darnold threw for a career-high 377 yards against Jordan Love and the Packers. 

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