The Vikings fell 24-10 to the Patriots on Sunday afternoon, dropping to 6-5-1.

The loss moved the Vikings to seventh in the NFC, which of course, would be out of the playoffs.

The good news for the Vikings is that the week isn’t over. The Redskins (6-5) are sixth in the NFC and play the Eagles (5-6) on Monday Night Football.

If the Redskins lose, the Vikings move back to sixth place with a huge game against the Seahawks in Seattle next week. The Seahawks are 7-5, fifth in the NFC. The winner of this game likely punches their ticket to the postseason, assuming they win the games they should down the stretch.

The Vikings’ loss to the Patriots was certainly a disappointing one, but it wasn’t necessarily a must-win game.

The game against the Seahawks, however, is just that.

After Seattle, the Vikings have the Dolphins, Lions and Bears remaining on their schedule.