NFL.com Power Rankings Disrespect Vikings
By Adam Carlson
Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) passes over Detroit Lions defensive end Willie Young (79) in the second quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
While you can’t put much stock into the insights of one person’s thoughts on football, sometimes it just comes off as a major slap in the face.
NFL.com released their power rankings today, and I was shocked to see the placement of the Minnesota Vikings on their list.
#29.
That’s right, according to writer and media analyst Elliot Harrison, Minnesota is currently the fourth worst team in the NFL. Here’s what he had to say about the Vikings in his rankings:
"Nov 24, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) warms up before game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY SportsThe Cassel-Ponder brokerage at quarterback is primed to break fans’ hearts again — unless, of course, the Vikings nab Blake Bortles or Johnny Manziel on draft day. Either way, the club did make an effort to firm up all three levels of the defense with serviceable free-agent acquisitions. Call me Positive Perry here, but I loved the Captain Munnerlyn signing. For all the Revis/DRC/Talib blabber, singing a solid corner for $5 million a year was boss."
So, he sees the Vikings as worse than the Jaguars (who just lost their big name running back and are one strike away from losing their star wide receiver), the Browns (who, if the league started today, would feature Brian Hoyer as their QB) and Titans (who are on the verge of the exit of their star running back and have as much confusion at QB as Minnesota).
The excellent signings of Munnerlyn and Joseph, combined with bringing back all the pieces of the offense (except John Carlson) should have at least put the Vikings where they stood at the end of the season. They finished with the 8th worst record, but somehow got much worse according to these rankings after not signing back Jared Allen and replacing him with the young and dynamic Everson Griffen.
While I don’t think Minnesota should be in the top half of the league, I do see it as a major disrespect to Vikings fans to have their team ranked so low. It’s a good thing that Vikings fans are used to the media not believing in their team.
To see the full NFL.com power rankings, click here.