The Vikings are positioning themselves to become a regular playoff team rather than one that merely pops up every so often.
MINNEAPOLIS — The NFL achieved its time-honored postseason parity again with a one-third turnover rate among its entrants.
The Vikings are one of four teams to earn a playoff berth after failing to qualify last season. That ratio of fluidity has become standard.
Since the league expanded to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, at least four teams have made the playoffs in every season after not qualifying the previous year.
The Vikings also were in that position in 2012, their most recent postseason taste.