Vikings on pace to be latest 10-win team with negative point differential: How others fared in playoffs
The Vikings are making history -- in the wrong way
By
Jeff Kerr
•
1 min read
The Minnesota Vikings are entering unchartered territory heading into the playoffs, as they are set to become the first 12-win team to ever have a negative point differential. Minnesota is at a minus-19 point differential thanks to its record 11 one-score victories and three losses by 17-plus points.
The Vikings will need to beat the Chicago Bears by 20 points Sunday to get a positive point differential on the season -- and still would have the lowest point differential for a 12-win team in NFL history. The 2016 Oakland Raiders won 12 games and had a point differential of plus-31, the lowest for a 12-win team. The Vikings would have to beat the Bears by 51 points to not have the lowest point differential for a 12-win team.
There have been teams with double-digit wins to reach the playoffs with a negative point differential. Unless the Vikings win by 19-plus points Sunday, they'll be the latest. How have those other teams fared? Did they make any significant playoff runs?
| Team | Record | Point Differential | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|
2019 Houston Texans | 10-6 | -7 | W, Wild Card Round; L, Divisional Round |
2020 Cleveland Browns | 11-5 | -11 | W, Wild Card Round; L, Divisional Round |
1978 Houston Oilers | 10-6 | -15 | W, Wild Card Round; W, Divisional Round; L, AFC Championship |
2016 Miami Dolphins | 10-6 | -17 | L, Wild Card Round |
1995 Philadelphia Eagles | 10-6 | -20 | W, Wild Card Round; L, Divisional Round |
1993 Los Angeles Raiders | 10-6 | -20 | W, Wild Card Round; L, Divisional Round |
1986 New York Jets | 10-6 | -22 | W, Wild Card Round; L, Divisional Round |
2012 Indianapolis Colts | 11-5 | -30 | L, Wild Card Round |
2021 Las Vegas Raiders | 10-7 | -65 | L, Wild Card Round |
While the Vikings' Super Bowl chances don't appear great, teams with 10-plus wins and a negative point differential are 7-9 -- a much better record than anticipated. Minnesota is set to become the first 12-win team with a negative point differential and could be the first 13-win team to have a negative point differential with a win by 18 points or less Sunday.
The Vikings will be in unchartered territory these playoffs, making their journey through the NFC all the more interesting.
