Optimism for Vikings is fictional in Peter King’s recent power rankings
By Adam Patrick
NBC Sports’ Peter King recently shared his post-NFL Draft power rankings and he isn’t exactly a believer in the Minnesota Vikings for the 2022 season.
With a new regime bringing a more positive approach to each day for the Minnesota Vikings, some are hoping the team’s new leadership will result in a return to the playoffs for the franchise next season for the first time since 2019.
Not everyone is sold on a new head coach and a new general manager being all Minnesota needed for a return to the postseason in 2022.
In his recent post-NFL Draft power rankings, NBC Sports’ Peter King doesn’t have the Vikings among the top 14 teams in the league, meaning he doesn’t believe Minnesota has what it takes right now to make the playoffs next season.
Minnesota Vikings outside of the top-15 in Peter King’s post-draft power rankings
Appearing in the No. 19 spot in King’s recent power rankings is the Vikings and new head coach Kevin O’Connell. Of the teams from the NFC, King currently views Minnesota as the eighth-best squad in the conference.
It’s a believable scenario considering O’Connell has never been a head coach before and his lack of experience could lead to some struggles out on the field for the Vikings next season.
But O’Connell could also be someone who helps Minnesota end the 2022 campaign with their first appearance in the playoffs since 2019. We really just don’t know what to expect from the Vikings until they get out on the field for their first matchup of the 2022 regular season.
Some of the teams that King ranked ahead of Minnesota in his most recent power ranking included the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, and Cleveland Browns.
He currently views the Buffalo Bills as the best team in the NFL, and in a bit of a surprise, he has the Los Angeles Chargers as the second-best team in the league right now.
Will King end up being right about the Vikings in 2022, or will O’Connell make a big enough impact that results in Minnesota being one of the 14 teams to make the playoffs next season?