If the playoffs started today the Vikings would be a playoff team.
Check out ESPN’s playoff standings right here. The Vikings are 3-2 and in second place in the NFC North, trailing only the undefeated Green Bay Packers (6-0).
But how did the Vikings fare in this week’s power rankings roundup after a lackluster offensive performance in Sunday’s 16-10 win over Kansas City?
To sum up how this week’s Vikings’ opponent, the Detroit Lions, might be seeing things, we turn to the Detroit Free Press, which said Teddy Bridgewater “needs a map, a new navigation app and a divining rod to find the end zone. He has thrown three touchdown passes in five games.”
On to the power rankings…
NFL.com – 10th, up 2 spots
“Congrats to the Vikings on the win. And specific kudos go to the defense, which has been the stalwart foundation of this team. Meanwhile, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been up and down — at best. He missed a rollout throw on third-and-1 late in the fourth quarter that could have helped the Vikes salt away the clock. It’s little plays like that, hidden from the box score, that areoh so important. We’re still waiting to see the Bridgewater who completed more than 80 percent of his passes in the preseason. That said, this club is 3-2 without that brand of Bridgewater. Who says Minnesota lands a wild-card spot?”
ESPN – 15th, up 1 spot
“An encouraging sign for the Vikings: They won Sunday despite getting just 60 rushing yards from Adrian Peterson, his fewest in a Vikings win since 2011.”
Yahoo Sports – 10th, up 1 spot
“The Vikings have won three of four, but all three of the wins have come at home. That makes this week’s game at Detroit interesting. If they’re a real playoff contender (as I think they are), that’s a road game you must win. No more of the strange “Week 1 at San Francisco” performances.”
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco – 9th, up 6 spots
“They are 3-2 and they really haven’t done a lot on offense. They have to get that side of the ball going.”
Washington Post – 8th, up 2 spots
“The triumph over the Chiefs wasn’t particularly convincing or inspiring. But the Vikings haven’t reached the point where they can be all that particular about how their wins look.”
Pro Football Talk: 9th, up 5 spots
“With Mike Wallace, Stefon Diggs, and Charles Johnson, the Vikings could have the best three wideouts in the NFL.”
MMQB: 10th, no change
“Surprised that Teddy Bridgewater, with the pocket presence and smarts I’ve seen in him so far, has thrown just three touchdown passes in five games. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner has to be scratching his head a little bit, because there’s enough talent in the receiver/tight end group that Bridgewater should be throwing two a week.”
USA Today: 11th, down 1 spot
“Time to expand that passing arsenal — maybe use Kyle Rudolph? — or Adrian Peterson will keep running into brick walls.”
