Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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The Vikings have now won two in a row heading into a divisional matchup with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota moved to 10-4 and has a pair of home games remaining to wrap up the regular season.
The experts released their Power Rankings lists heading into Week 16.
Here’s a look at where the Vikings rank:
8 (Same Spot): Dan Hanzus – NFL.com
The combination of Danielle Hunter and Ifeadi Odenigbo changed everything on Sunday. Hunter's forced fumble and Odenigbo's subsequent scoop and 56-yard touchdown return served as the turning point in a 39-10 Vikings win that included seven Chargers turnovers. That's the most forced turnovers for Minnesota since 1995. The Vikings are one game behind the Packers in the NFC North, with Green Bay coming to U.S. Bank Stadium. Who will be running the football for the home team in that massive division showdown? Dalvin Cook exited in third quarter on Sunday after aggravating his shoulder injury, and backup Alexander Mattison missed the entire game with an ankle injury. A compromised backfield will put more on the shoulders of Kirk Cousins, who could use a prestige W before January hits. If they can set themselves up with a home game or two in the playoffs ... look out.
6 (Up 1 Spots): Frank Schwab – Yahoo! Sports
The news wasn’t too bad on Dalvin Cook’s injured shoulder. It appears he could play in Week 16 against the Packers. The Vikings need that game to keep any hope of winning the NFC North alive, but it’s probably moot anyway since all the Packers need to do to win the division title is beat the Lions in the finale.
8 (Same Spot): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports
That was an impressive road victory against the Chargers, doing so in dominant fashion. Now they face the game of the year against the Packers.
Barring an epic collapse, the Minnesota Vikings are headed back to the postseason in 2019. The Vikes need just one win in their last two games to ensure at least a Wild Card berth, and the NFC North title remains in play.
As things stand right now, the Vikings may well be on a collision course with familiar adversary. If the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints finish in a three-way tie, the Saints would drop to the No. 3 seed in the NFC — and potentially face the Vikings in the Wild Card Round.
Anyone for a rematch of the "Minneapolis Miracle?"
"When the Vikings are at full strength and playing like they did on Sunday," Gary Davenport wrote, "Minnesota's capable of peeling off three wins in a row and making it to Miami as the NFC representative in Super Bowl LIV. But short a Green Bay loss to Detroit in Week 17, the Vikings are stuck with a Wild Card spot this year."
"I'll give them this," Brad Gagnon added: "They know how to stomp on inferior opponents. The Vikings have won an NFC-best eight games by 10 or more points this season. The only problem is they won't see teams like the Chargers in January, and they certainly won't feel that welcome on the road in the playoffs."
Previous rank: 8
Points in poll: 182
Highest-place vote: 4 (1 voter)
Lowest-place vote: 10 (1 voter)
Last week’s result: Beat L.A. Chargers, 39-10
This week: vs. Green Bay (Mon.)
The Vikings continue happily beating up on the lackluster competition set before them, content to convert 20 points from seven L.A. turnovers and do little else aside from watching the game clock run down. But Minnesota’s “best” win this season is against Dallas, something [the Vikings] should look to improve on with Green Bay in town on Monday night and NFC North seeding still not decided.
9 (Down 1 Spot): Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News
The Vikings could have fallen into a trap against the Chargers, but their defense finally made enough plays to lift the offense in a tough matchup. Minnesota suffered a tough break in losing Dalvin Cook, but it’s talented enough to take the division away from Green Bay.
Seems like forever since Stefon Diggs was pouting. In the interim, he's put together best season of his career, including 1,073 receiving yards.
8 (Same Spot) Courtney Cronin – ESPN.com
Offseason in two words: Cap decisions
The NFL informed teams last week that the salary cap will be between $196.8 and $201.2 million in 2020. That’s good news for a team with tight finances (ESPN’s Roster Management System currently projects the Vikings at $4.8 million over the cap) and a handful of contract decisions to make this offseason. Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook are in line for extensions. Minnesota has two cornerbacks — Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander — who need to be paid or allowed to go on the open market. Decisions on the likes of Everson Griffen, Riley Reiff and Xavier Rhodesalso are on the horizon once the season ends.