After six losses in eight games, the Minnesota Vikings’ 6-0 start is all but forgotten. The Vikings are fighting just to make the playoffs when they play host Saturday to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Minnesota fell into a first-place tie in the NFC North with Green Bay by losing last week while the Packers won.

Now the Vikings must face a team that started 9-0 and at 12-2 still hopes to claim home-field advantage for the AFC playoffs.

“It’s a shame we made it hard on ourselves, because we certainly have,” Vikings coach Mike Tice said.

The Chiefs are favored by 2 1/2 points, indicating how far Minnesota has fallen in the last two months. The Vikings’ dome, with its fast track and fan noise, usually makes Minnesota one of the most difficult teams to beat at home.

Kansas City has plenty of incentive. If it can win its final two games, and New England loses one, Kansas City will finish with the best record in the AFC.

CHIEFS, 34-30

Detroit (plus 10) at Carolina

Can the Lions avoid their record 24th straight road loss against a team that has seven wins by three points or fewer or in overtime?

Quarterback Daunte Culpepper will lead the Vikings against the Chiefs Saturday in Minneapolis. Culpepper is shown looking to pass Sunday against the Bears in Chicago.

PANTHERS, 23-20 (overtime)

Denver (off) at Indianapolis

The Broncos can get a wild-card berth with two wins. But neither game will be easy — this one is followed by a trip to Green Bay. It doesn’t help Denver that Clinton Portis’ status is uncertain because of a knee injury.

COLTS, 24-13

Green Bay (minus 5) at Oakland (Monday night)

Careful. The Raiders knocked off the Ravens last week.

PACKERS, 25-24

Miami (pick ’em) at Buffalo

The Dolphins keep losing in December — even at home.

BILLS, 20-19

Cincinnati (plus 7) at St. Louis

Too tough for the Bengals’ shaky secondary.

RAMS, 30-20

New York Giants (plus 101/2) at Dallas

Last year at this time, the playoff-bound Giants beat the Cowboys 37-7.

COWBOYS 37-7

Tennessee (off) at Houston

The Titans are lucky the Texans have QB injuries, too.

TITANS, 11-3

San Francisco (plus 7) at Philadelphia

The 49ers are 0-7 on the road; the Eagles are seeking the top seeding for the NFC playoffs.

EAGLES, 44-6

Baltimore (minus-3) at Cleveland

Despite a 4-10 record, the Browns are playing hard.

RAVENS, 19-18

Atlanta (plus 7) at Tampa Bay (Saturday)

The Bucs finally have two wins in a row.

BUCS, 27-16

New England (minus 3) at New York Jets (Saturday)

The Patriots have won 10 straight games, although their road wins have been very close.

PATRIOTS, 22-20

Arizona (plus 13) at Seattle

Seattle’s 38-0 win at Arizona was its only road victory.

SEAHAWKS, 76-0

Washington (plus 4 1/2) at Chicago

Rex Grossman over Tim Hasselbeck.

BEARS, 17-12

New Orleans (plus 1) at Jacksonville

No cell phones in the goal posts.

JAGUARS, 24-21

San Diego (plus 6) at Pittsburgh

Two teams with lost seasons.

STEELERS, 20-16

• Last week: 12-3-1 (spread); 14-2 (straight up)

Overall: 127-92-5 (spread); 140-84 (straight up)