As fun and exciting as it was to watch the Vikings and Ravens go wild in the final two minutes of Sunday’s game in Baltimore, the loss didn’t do the Vikings any good in the latest round of NFL power rankings.
Minnesota stayed near the back of the pack in most lists. Surprisingly, there were a couple of polls that boosted the Vikings after the loss. stayed near the back, or, surprisingly, made a slight jump in a couple of lists.
NFL.COM: No. 29 – Awful loss for Minnesota in Baltimore, but allow us to play Positive Perry here. The Vikings finally have an explosive piece in addition to Adrian Peterson, one who has the home-run-hitting ability of Percy Harvin: Cordarrelle Patterson, who had five catches for 141 yards and a touchdown, and who also leads the NFL in yards per kickoff return.
OK, back to being negative. How did the Vikings let Marlon Brown get that much room near the back of the end zone? We feel bad for Minnesota fans.
BLEACHER REPORT: No. 25 – The Minnesota Vikings took part in the most exciting two minutes of football I’ve seen this year as they went back and forth with the Baltimore Ravens in a close loss. If you missed the two teams breaking off big plays in the snow, it’s worth catching on NFL Replay this week.
For the Vikings, it’s another loss, but they also got great production form budding stars like Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson’s play continues to be a bright spot, and they may be leaning on him more and more if Adrian Peterson’s injury is serious. Peterson left the game early with a lower-leg injury and will need tests this week to determine the extent of the injury.
A loss hurts, but the Vikings are playing for next year right now. Playing well and helping their draft positioning isn’t a bad thing.
PRO FOOTBALL TALK: No. 28 – Sunday’s snowfest in Baltimore was good preparation for the next two years of home games in the Minnesota elements.
CBS SPORTS: No. 26 – The injury to Adrian Peterson puts a damper on an already disappointing season. Will Leslie Frazier make it to next season?
ESPN: No. 27 – Minnesota’s quarterback situation gets headlines, but the defense has been the worst in the league. The Vikings defense has cost the team a league-worst minus-103.2 expected points this season.
FOX SPORTS: No. 24 – Cordarelle Patterson is going to be an explosive playmaker in this league for years to come. He has the tools to be very special.
