There are a few ways the Vikings can clinch a playoff berth this weekend.

The most satisfying would be the Vikings doing it themselves by beating the Chicago Bears on Monday night at U.S. Bank Stadium. It’s also the simplest way, not requiring other teams to win or lose.

The only problem with that scenario is the Vikings might have already punched their ticket before they even take the field against the Bears on Monday Night Football.

The other ways the Vikings clinch a playoff berth: the Los Angeles Rams lose to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium; the Seattle Seahawks lose to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night at Lumen Field.

The fact that the Vikings are this position goes against what many football watchers predicted before the season started.

Not that head coach Kevin O’Connell had any doubt. He had a feeling during organized team activities in the spring, then voiced his belief in this particular group of players during training camp in the summer. He promised them if they all bought in, they would have a chance to do something special.

“Our guys have been pretty mature team about taking that message over and over and over,” O’Connell said. “It has been successful for us, so we’re just going to keep chasing it.”

A chance to go full pads

Because the Vikings have an extra 24 hours before hosting the Bears in primetime, they decided that their practice on Wednesday afternoon at TCO Performance Center would be in full pads.

Why?

“You only get so many with the rules here down the stretch,” O’Connell said. “We can get some good physical work in here and still have a good amount of time to turn these guys over and slow down the pace.”

It’s unclear where cornerback Stephon Gilmore (hamstring) and edge rusher Pat Jones II (knee) are at in the recovery process. The injury report won’t come out until after practice on Thursday afternoon because of the altered schedule.

“We’ll see what they’re able to do,” O’Connell said. “We’d love to have both guys, and if not we know we have guys that can step up.”

No reunion with Osborn

After being released by the New England Patriots on Tuesday afternoon, former Vikings receiver K.J. Osborn was claimed off waivers by the Washington Commanders on Wednesday afternoon.

Though it’s unclear if the Vikings would have had any interest in Osborn had he cleared waivers, he does familiarity with the offense, so it might’ve made sense to try to sign him to the practice squad.

Originally selected by the Vikings in the 2020 NFL Draft, Osborn has recorded 165 catches for 1,902 yards and 16 touchdowns across career 66 games.

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