A 7-9 season in 2014 got the juices flowing again, and the Vikes were back to knocking on the door in 2015 at 11-5 winning the NFC north en route to a wild-card weekend matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/2023/8/20/23836720/the-curse-of-1998-part-6

A wild-card shellacking in Buffalo that followed a 10-7 regular season.

Source: https://nesn.com/2023/07/patriots-reporter-outlines-scenario-where-team-could-move-on-from-bill-belichick/

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley, right, fumbles the ball as it is knocked away by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff game in Cincinnati on Sunday.

Source: https://s24526.pcdn.co/sports/1596667/hubbards-98-yard-fumble-return-lifts-bengals-over-ravens

Both are expected to contend for AFC wild-card spots in a very competitive conference, making this potentially one of the NFL’s best opening weekend games.

Source: https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2023-09-09/chargers-dolphins-matchups-justin-herbert-kellen-moore

But 2022 marked a shift for the club, as the Orioles defied the expectation of being one of the worst teams in baseball to finish 83-79 and just a few games out of a wild-card spot.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/02/02/now-retired-darren-oday-reflects-on-time-with-orioles-and-the-rebuild-after-his-trade/

By the time the Chargers faced the Jaguars in the wild-card playoff game, Staley’s club enjoyed good NFL health for an 18th game although it wasn’t enough to prevent his team from Chargering a contest it led 27-0 in the second half.

Source: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/chargers-rams/story/2023-10-01/tom-krasovic-chargers-incredible-good-fortune-at-qb-shows-up-once-again-as-always

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard runs a fumble by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley back 98-yards for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Jan.

Source: https://triblive.com/sports/sam-hubbards-98-yard-fumble-return-lifts-bengals-over-ravens/

Cincinnati has done well to stay alive without Joe Burrow, but getting swept badly by Pittsburgh without him might be enough to keep it out of a wild-card playoff spot.

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/12/26/24015608/bengals-nfl-power-rankings-week-17

Even when the Jaguars were trailing the Chargers by 27 points at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville should have felt confident in its chances to advance past the wild-card round.

Source: https://nesn.com/2023/01/jaguars-comeback-win-extends-insane-trevor-lawrence-streak/

Feldman named Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell as the “one big wild-card wish candidate” for the Aggies.

Source: https://larrybrownsports.com/college-football/texas-am-dan-campbell-dream-candidate/623969

For these reasons, one might feel content in erasing this one from memory and choosing to mentally simulate wild-card weekend, which will see the Jaguars hosting a playoff game despite being 3–7 not terribly long ago.

Source: https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/01/08/jaguars-clinch-playoffs-dangerous-team

Gage, a five-year veteran, sustained the injuries in the fourth quarter of the Buccaneers’ 31-14 wild-card round loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday in Tampa, Fla.

Source: https://wabcradio.com/2023/01/18/buccaneers-wr-russell-gage-hospitalized-for-further-testing-after-concussion-diagnosis/

Gage was carted off the field at Raymond James Stadium with just under three minutes remaining in Tampa Bay’s wild-card game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Source: https://nesn.com/2023/01/russell-gage-doing-great-after-scary-injury-vs-cowboys/

Hamlin visited his teammates one day ahead of a wild-card game pitting Buffalo (13-3) against the visiting Miami Dolphins (9-8).

Source: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2023/01/15/more-sports/football/hamlin-visits-bills-facility/

However, Seattle finished the season 3-4 after its Week 11 bye and to its NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round.

Source: https://nesn.com/bets/2023/08/is-geno-smith-for-real-why-seahawks-could-be-sneaky-breakout/

“I don’t play that game too much,” Roberts said Wednesday of following the wild-card race and potential seeding.

Source: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/09/27/dodgers-beat-rockies-as-braves-lock-up-top-seed-in-nl-playoffs/

In a wild-card defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals, he caught a touchdown pass, giving him 16 receptions for 269 yards and two touchdowns in 14 playoff games.

Source: https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2023-12-28/demarcus-robinson-leads-rams-playoff-experience

In the wild-card chase, the edge ahead at 8-5, leading six teams tied at 7-6.

Source: https://nesn.com/bets/2023/12/nfl-playoffs-analyzing-the-afcs-elite-as-season-nears-end/

Jacksonville’s shocking comeback in their wild-card game stunned the football world after Riley Patterson nailed a last-second, 36-yard field goal.

Source: https://nypost.com/2023/01/20/chiefs-jaguars-nfl-playoffs-where-to-buy-tickets-prices/

Jackson will not play in the Baltimore Ravens’ wild-card game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Source: https://larrybrownsports.com/football/michael-vick-strong-message-lamar-jackson-injury/610176