Analyst claims Minnesota Vikings are 'Most overlooked 13-2 team the NFL has ever seen' in latest NFL Power Rankings
The Minnesota Vikings are now 13-2 after defeating the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 27-24. A lot of different things happened for the Vikings to get the win, and it started with quarterback Sam Darnold attacking downfield. The Vikings proved that they are true Super Bowl contenders on Sunday afternoon. It's a tough ask for anyone […]
The Minnesota Vikings are now 13-2 after defeating the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 27-24. A lot of different things happened for the Vikings to get the win, and it started with quarterback Sam Darnold attacking downfield.
The Vikings proved that they are true Super Bowl contenders on Sunday afternoon. It's a tough ask for anyone to go into Seattle and beat the Seahawks at Lumen Field and they did so for the first time since 2006 when Chester Taylor ran wild.
Where do the Vikings sit in the latest NFL power rankings? At least one analyst believes that the Vikings are overlooked.
Minnesota Vikings Week 17 NFL Power Rankings
ESPN's NFL Nation
Last week: 5
This week: 5
Rookie of the year: Kicker Will Reichard
Reichard, a sixth-round pick, has had an impressive year despite missing four games because of a quadriceps injury. He has made 19 of 22 field goal attempts and all 35 of his extra points. Two of the three misses came in a game he tried to push through after suffering the injury. Reichard was particularly impressive in Week 16, drilling field goals of 52 and 48 yards on a rainy afternoon at Seattle's Lumen Field. — Kevin Seifert
Yahoo! Sports' Frank Schwab
Last week: 5
This week: 5
The Vikings' comeback win Sunday vs. the Seahawks was just their second this season in which they trailed in the final five minutes (Week 13 vs. Arizona was the other). Getting that game-winning drive from Sam Darnold builds character. They'll likely be in a similar situation at some point in the postseason.
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco
Last week: 5
This week: 4
If they win out, they have the top seed in the NFC. But the schedule is tough with games against Green Bay and Detroit to close it out.\
USA Today's Nate Davis
Last week: 5
This week: 5
Kevin O'Connell has been on the job for three seasons and is already the only coach in the franchise's 63-year history to win 13 regular-season games twice. Seems like an achievement worthy of one of those signature Vikes on-field celebrations …
The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer
Last week: 5
This week: 4
The Vikings got into a shootout with the Seahawks, but Justin Jefferson is the gift that keeps on giving when their passing game and offense overall needs it most.
Bleacher Report's NFL Staff
Last week: 5
This week: 4
At 13-2, the Vikings are the NFL's best story. Their addition of Sam Darnold wasn't supposed to be more than a bridge to first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy. This year's 11th overall pick suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason. Instead, Darnold emerged as the franchise-caliber quarterback many envisioned in the 2018 NFL draft when the New York Jets chose him with the third overall pick. Kevin O'Connell should be the front-runner for NFL Coach of the Year. Also, Minnesota remains within striking distance of the NFC's No. 1 overall seed despite sitting in the fifth spot. Skol! — Brent Sobleski
Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr
Last week: 5
This week: 4
The Ringer's Diante Lee
Last week: 7
This week: 7
After his knee, ankle, and face mask were twisted on a second-down sack (that would eventually be negated by a face-mask penalty), Darnold went from limping to sprinting away from pressure and flung a go-ahead touchdown on the very next snap against Seattle. All season, I’ve been couching Minnesota’s offensive success by crediting head coach Kevin O’Connell, the offensive line, and superstar receiver Justin Jefferson rather than trusting in Darnold. But on the road against a defense that excels in forcing offenses to dink and dunk, Darnold effectively distributed the ball underneath and avoided negative plays. The Vikings may not be the sexy pick in the NFC, but it’s dishonest to act as though they aren’t getting good enough quarterback play to make a Super Bowl run—no matter how you felt about Darnold before this year.
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio
Last week: 4
This week: 3
They’re the most overlooked 13-2 team the NFL has ever seen. They aren’t overlooked here.
The Athletic's Josh Kendall
Last week: 5
This week: 5
The big question: Is Sam Darnold shutting everyone up?
We’re running out of reasons to write off the Vikings, who have clinched a playoff spot and still could earn the top seed in the NFC. The anti-Minnesota folks are still holding out hope Sam Darnold will turn into a pumpkin, but he’s fourth in the league in passer rating (105.4) and fifth in touchdown passes (32). Against the Seahawks, he threw three touchdown passes and found Justin Jefferson 10 times for 144 yards.
How the Vikings re-signing QB Sam Darnold would affect the salary cap and impact building a Super Bowl roster
It’s a very complicated situation
