The 2019 Vikings had an 8-2 stretch from early October through mid-December, then lost the last two games at U.S. Bank Stadium to Green Bay and Chicago to finish 10-6. They already were stuck with the No. 6 seed in the NFC before Sunday’s loss to the Bears, and now will have the task of winning three road games — starting with No. 3 seed New Orleans and No. 1 seed San Francisco — to reach the Super Bowl.
The 1987 Vikings were 7-1 in games with their actual players in late November, then lost three out of four and needed a Sunday loss at Dallas by the St.