The Minnesota Vikings stayed in the race for the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs and the Atlanta Falcons stayed in the running for the NFC South title with Monday night victories.

By beating the Chicago Bears 30-12, the Vikings improved to 12-2 and pulled even with the Detroit Lions for the NFC North lead. The Lions lost to the Buffalo Bills 48-42 on Sunday, but they hold the tiebreaker on Minnesota via a 31-29 victory over the Vikings on Oct. 20. Minnesota will have the opportunity to overcome that when it visits Detroit on the final Sunday of the regular season on Jan. 5.

By beating the Las Vegas Raiders 15-9, the Falcons kept pace with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs beat the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 on Sunday to improve their division-leading record to 8-6. By intercepting a Hail Mary in the end zone on the game’s final play, Atlanta improved to 7-7, and it holds the tiebreaker over Tampa Bay after sweeping the season series.

During the Monday night doubleheader, eight players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field:

Minnesota Vikings 30, Chicago Bears 12

• Vikings defensive tackle Travis Bell (Jeff Davis) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
• Byron Cowart (Auburn) started at defensive tackle for the Bears. Cowart made two tackles.
• Bears tight end Gerald Everett (UAB/South Alabama) did not record any stats.
• Vikings defensive back Bobby McCain (Oxford) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
• Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (Spain Park) dressed for the game but did not play.
• Vikings kicker Will Reichard (Hoover, Alabama) made all six of his attempts, connecting on field goals of 52, 31 and 46 yards and three extra points.
• Cam Robinson (Alabama) started at left offensive tackle for the Vikings.
• Bears cornerback Reddy Steward (Austin, Troy) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
• Vikings outside linebacker Dallas Turner (Alabama) made three tackles and recorded one sack. The second sack of the rookie’s career was his first since the season-opening game on Sept. 8.

Minnesota plays the Seattle Seahawks at 3:05 p.m. CST Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle.

Carrying an eight-game losing streak, Chicago (4-10) plays the Lions at noon Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Atlanta Falcons 15, Las Vegas Raiders 9

• Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (Homewood) ran for 8 yards on three carries, caught seven passes for 58 yards and a touchdown and had three fair catches on punts.

• Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (McGill-Toolen) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

• Raiders quarterback Carter Bradley (South Alabama) dressed for the game but did not play.
• Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (Auburn) made a 52-yard field goal and had an extra-point attempt blocked.
• Falcons linebacker Rashaan Evans (Auburn High, Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.
• Falcons safety DeMarcco Hellams (Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
• Raiders cornerback Keenan Isaac (Midfield, Alabama State) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
• Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (Hoover) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
• Falcons running back Jase McClellan (Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
• Darnell Mooney (Gadsden City) started at wide receiver for the Falcons. Mooney was targeted once in the game and did not have a reception. Last week, Mooney had six receptions for 142 yards and has 57 receptions for 873 yards and five touchdowns this season.
• Raiders tight end John Samuel Shenker (Auburn) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

Atlanta plays the New York Giants at noon Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Carrying a 10-game losing streak, Las Veags (2-12) plays the Jacksonville Jaguars at 3:25 p.m. Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.