Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts during a game against the Tennessee Titans.

The Minnesota Vikings clinched a playoff berth with a Seattle Seahawks loss in Week 15 but still have plenty out in front of them.

Minnesota controls its own destiny in the NFC North with the frontrunner Detroit Lions suffering their second loss of the season. The Vikings can clinch the division title and the top seed in the NFC playoffs if they win out.

A player who will be tantamount to the Vikings’ efforts is second-year linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., who is on injured reserve for a third week following a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 12.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed on December 14 that Pace is ahead of schedule and should be ready to be reactivated to the roster once he is eligible to return from the injured reserve list.

“He’s doing really well,” said O’Connell, whose eyes lit up upon the question of Pace’s recovery. “Probably ahead of the timeline we initially thought. He’ll be ready to roll when he’s available to come off, I believe.”

While Pace is lauded for his ability as a pass rusher, his impact against the run has been missing the past few weeks. The Vikings have allowed 156 rushing yards per game during Pace’s two-game absence ahead of Monday night’s matchup with the Chicago Bears.

He is eligible to come off the injured reserve list for the final two games against the regular season — at home against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 and on the road in Detroit in Week 18.