Minnesota Vikings Power Rankings Review: Week 15 edition

After a loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 14, where do experts see the Minnesota Vikings stacking up against the rest of the NFL in the power rankings?

Winners of 8 straight games heading into Week 14, the Minnesota Vikings were handed their first loss since October 1st at the hands of Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, December 10, 2017.

The Vikings weren’t the only NFL powerhouse to fall in Week 14. Losses by the Eagles, Patriots, and Rams also shook up the league, adding more intrigue as to just how good Minnesota might be compared to other franchises

Let’s take a look at where the Vikings are ranked heading into their Week 15 game at home against the Cincinnati Bengals and just how much they moved around the power rankings of experts!

Ranked #2

Chris Simms – Bleacher Report: “When you have untimely penalties, have three turnovers and miss field goals on the road, it’s hard to win.” (Up 1 spot)
MMQB Staff – Sports Illustrated: “Highest-Place Vote: Second (6), Lowest-Place Vote: Sixth” (No change)

Ranked #3

Elliott Harrison – NFL.com: “I’m keeping the Vikings at No. 3 because that was their first loss since Oct. 1, and it came at the end of an extremely tough stretch.” (No change)
USA TODAY Sports: “Who would have suspected battle for home-field advantage in NFC might come down to whether Case Keenum could outgun Nick Foles down the stretch?” (No change)

Ranked #4

Brandon Lee Gowten – Bleeding Green Nation: “It took a lot of things to go wrong for Minny to lose. They’re still a very good team. But they’re clearly not flawless.” (Down 2 spots)
Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk: “Glass half full, the Vikings never gave up on Sunday. Glass half empty, the injuries are piling up.” (Down 1 spot)
Joe Giglio – NJ.com: “The loss to Carolina shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Back-to-back road games is a big chore, regardless of talent.” (Unknown change)
Joshua Schrock – NESN.com: “Can Case Keenum lead Minnesota to what would be a de facto home game in Super Bowl LII?” (Down 1 spot)
Manish Mehta – New York Daily News: “Case Keenum might be what we thought he was all along after all.” (Down 2 spots)
Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News: “The Vikings had a big hiccup in Carolina as their main strengths — running the ball and stopping the run — didn’t manifest.” (Down 1 spot)
Mark Maske – Washington Post: “Case Keenum remains the starter at QB despite throwing two interceptions in the loss at Carolina.” (Down 1 spot)
Frank Schwab – Yahoo Sports: “The NFC has some tough teams, and it won’t be easy, but there’s a possibility we’ll finally see a team play a Super Bowl in its home stadium.” (No change)

Ranked #5

ESPN.com: “Even after Sunday’s loss to the Panthers, Keenum still ranks third league-wide in Total QBR” (Down 2 spots)
John McClain – Houston Chronicle: “The Vikings host Cincinnati after watching their eight-game winning streak end with a defeat at Carolina.” (Down 3 spots)
Mark Craig – Star Tribune: “Like I’ve said, this team will win or lose based on how the offensive line performs.” (Down 2 spots)

Ranked #6

Brad Biggs – Chicago Tribune: “Seemingly ageless DE Julius Peppers is up to 9.5 sacks.” (Down 3 spots)
Adam Stites – SB Nation: “Three of the teams in the top five a week ago – the Patriots, Vikings, and Rams — all lost in Week 14.” (Down 4 spots)

Ranked #7

Pete Prisco – CBS Sports: “Playing three consecutive road games was tough, but going 2-1 in that stretch is impressive.” (Down 3 spots)

Next: Last week's Vikings Power Rating Review

All it took was one loss for many sites to drop the Minnesota Vikings down as many as 4 spots after a loss to the Panthers due to many uncharacteristic mistakes. However, Minnesota can bounce back a bit if they can defeat the Bengals in Week 15 and win the NFC North.

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