The Vikings didn’t even look like a top 30 NFL team against the Lions in Week 13, and Minnesota got what it deserved: a tough defeat and a drop in quite a few NFL power rankings.
A lot has changed since then. The Vikings have won two in a row to get back to .500. Minnesota is consistent in its inconsistency this season. Recently, the team has earned a better ranking in NFL power rankings. That shows in USA TODAY’s list entering Week 16.
Minnesota went up from No. 18 to No. 15. Nate Davis of USA TODAY wrote:
“It’s not all about QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook and WR Justin Jefferson. Minnesota leads league with 44 sacks and is first team in 47 years to record multiple sacks in each of its first 14 games.”
Franky, it should probably be more about Cousins that it was on Monday night. The Minnesota QB finished with just 87 passing yards in the win. The Vikings need WR Adam Thielen, who is dealing with an ankle injury, back as soon as possible.