The Viking Age
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Minnesota Vikings Power Rankings Review: Week 14 edition

ByAdam Carlson|
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against Danielle Hunter #99 of the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against Danielle Hunter #99 of the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Vikings continue rising up the power rankings after a win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13. Here is where they sit heading into Week 14!

Experts this season have been slow to buy into the hype surrounding the Minnesota Vikings. Their hesitation is understandable since injuries forced the team to move forward without their starting quarterback and running back for the entire season.

However, Minnesota has shown a lot of depth and toughness, turning lemons into lemonade and winning their last 8 straight games, firmly grabbing first place in the NFC North, and climbing to the top of the NFC.

Let’s take a look at where the Minnesota Vikings are on the experts’ power rankings as they head into Week 14 to take on the Carolina Panthers on the road:

Ranked #2

  • Brandon Lee Gowton – Bleeding Green Nation: “The Vikings keep on winning. Going down to Atlanta to beat a hot Falcons team is impressive.” (Up 1 spot)
  • MMQB Staff – Sports Illustrated: “Highest-Place Vote: Second (7), Lowest-Place Vote: Fifth” (Up 2 spots)
  • Manish Mehta – New York Daily News: “Mike Zimmer’s team is a riddle wrapped in a mystery. Case Keenum continues to to naysayers. Defense evidently travels.” (Up 1 spot)
  • Adam Stites – SB Nation: “Just when it looked like things were coming together for the Falcons, the Vikings came to town and imposed their will.” (Up 1 spot)

Ranked #3

  • Chris Simms – Bleacher Report: “If you don’t think this team can win the Super Bowl by now, you might as well give up and stop watching football.” (No change)

    • Brad Biggs –

    Chicago Tribune

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  • ESPN.com: “how about center Pat Elflein? He has started all 12 games for the Vikings and leads all rookies in snaps played.” (Up 2 spots)
  • Elliott Harrison – NFL.com: “The Vikings’ defense didn’t produce a gaggle of sacks and interceptions — rather, the unit put forth solid team defense while yielding just nine points (on three field goals).” (No change)
  • Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk: “When does “win one more and we’ll believe” finally become “OK, we believe”?” (Up 1 spot)
  • Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News: “Case Keenum keeps proving to be the perfect complementary quarterback to their dominant defense.” (Up 1 spot)
  • USA TODAY Sports: “It’s the little things Case Keenum does, like the fact no QB is harder to sack. He’s gone down just nine times in 369 dropbacks (2.4 percent) this season.” (Up 1 spot)

    • Ranked #4

    • Mark Maske – Washington Post: “there’s a chance the Vikings could win a Super Bowl while playing all their postseason games at home.” (Up 1 spot)
    • Frank Schwab – Yahoo Sports: “If Minnesota wins at Carolina on Sunday, a 14-2 season is looking like a strong possibility.” (No change)

    Ever single expert on this list either kept the Vikings where they were or moved them up a spot or two after beating Atlanta on the road. They will face another tough task in Week 14 when they head to Carolina to take on the Panthers, which could move them up a little more if they can get another win.

    Next: Ups and Downs from Week 13 vs Falcons

    Where do you think the Minnesota Vikings deserve to be placed in the NFL power rankings heading into Week 14 and which expert’s comments have you excited or nervous about the team’s future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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