Can’t even lose properly?! NFL’s laughing stock throw away No.1 pick; top seed showdown: Wrap

The Minnesota Vikings have held on in a thriller against division rivals the Green Bay Packers to set up a mouth-watering blockbuster for the NFC’s number one seed next week.

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Meantime, the New York Giants are finally back on the winner’s list, but it could come at a hefty cost in the race for pick 1 at the draft.

When running back Cam Akers caught a touchdown late in the third term, the Vikings jumped out to what looked like an unassailable 27-10 lead, but the Packers weren’t going to go down without a fight.

Touchdowns to Packers duo Emmanuel Wilson and Malik Heath, plus a two-point conversion for Romeo Doubs, meant the Packers fell only two points short.

Vikings quarter-back Sam Darnold had a day out, completing 33 out of 43 passes for 377 passing yards and three touchdowns. Darnold has had a terrific year under centre with youngster JJ McCarthy on the sidelines, leading the Vikings to a 14-2 record. Minnesota’s QB situation remains a point of intrigue as the post-season approaches, but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini is reporting that the Vikings “want Darnold back in Minnesota for 2025”.

Wide receiver Jalen Nailor was electric for the Vikings with 81 yards which included an epic 31-yard touchdown, while Justin Jefferson (92 yards), Jordan Addison (69 yards), Aaron Jones (77 yards) and TJ Hockenson (68 yards) were also important contributors.

Minnesota’s victory means they have set up an epic showdown with the Detroit Lions next week to decide which team clinches the NFC’s number one seed.

Elsewhere, the New York Giants have returned to the winner’s list for the first time since early October after ruining the Indianapolis Colts’ playoff dreams.

Quarter-back Drew Lock was in fine form with 309 passing yards and four touchdowns, while rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers had a career-best performance, racking up two touchdowns from seven catches and 171 yards. Tyrone Tracy Jr and Wan’Dale Robsinson both went for over 70 total yards as well for the Giants.

Indianapolis’ hopes of remaining in playoff contention are now vanquished however after the Giants won their first home game of the season.

Running back Jonathan Taylor posted 136 yards and two touchdowns, while wide-receiver duo Michael Pittman Jr (109 yards, one touchdown) and Alec Pierce (122 yards, one touchdown) also had strong outings.

While the players and coaching staff of the Giants were ecstatic with a win, fans might be feeling a little torn.

The Giants were frontrunners to secure the number one pick for the NFL draft, but the loss means their season win-loss record is now equal to that of the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns. When you take into account strength of schedule, the Giants have slid from pick 1 to probably pick 4 after today’s win.

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miam’s Cam Ward are considered to be two of the leading candidates for that selection and have been linked to the Giants throughout the season.

Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills secured the second seed in the AFC after a 40-14 victory over the New York Jets, which gives head coach Sean McDermott the luxury of resting his starters next week against New England if he desires.

Allen’s numbers were down by his usual standards given he is the frontrunner for the MVP this season, but that didn’t stop the Bills’ high-power offense from firing.

The Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East after demolishing the Dallas Cowboys 41-7, despite missing star quarter-back Jalen Hurts due to concussion, while Tampa Bay destroyed Carolina 48-14 to move into fourth in the NFC.

Star Eagles running back Saquon Barkley created history, becaming just the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.

The AFC is heating up however, with the Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins all still vying to feature in the post-season.

The Broncos can book their place in the playoffs if they defeat Kansas City next week (who are likely to rest their starters), while the Dolphins need to defeat the Jets and hope the Broncos slip up. The Bengals would need to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers and hope that both the Broncos and Dolphins lose their respective matches.

In other results, the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Tennessee Titans and the Las Vegas Raiders defeated the New Orleans Saints.