Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Here is where the Minnesota Vikings rank in terms of average, best and worst:
- Average ranking: 18.6 (17th)
- Best ranking: 16th (The Athletic)
- Worst ranking: 23rd (NFL.com)
Below you will find a Week 17 roundup for the Vikings in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.
The Athletic -- Rank: 16
Anthony Harris, S: The franchise tag did him no favors. Harris was a free agent last offseason, but the Vikings tagged him and he hasn't played as well. Now, at 29, he'll enter free agency a year older. Harris is at his best when he can be a ball-hawking free safety.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 20
The defense is putrid, which has to anger Mike Zimmer, who made his bones as a defensive coach. That showing at New Orleans was embarrassing.
USA Today -- Rank: 17
Kinda classic Kirk Cousins, who's thrown a career-best 32 TDs ... which will basically amount to nothing. Defense needs to show up in 2021.
ESPN -- Rank: 17
New Year's resolution: Commit to using star receivers
The Vikings can absolutely be a run-first team if they want to continue to carry that philosophy into 2021. It'd probably help if they were less predictable, like running less on second down, and one way to execute that is by prioritizing an uptick in usage for Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Minnesota has two star wideouts who should each be nearing double-digit targets every game and relied on in critical situations, such as two-minute drives and helping the team get back into contention when playing from behind. -- Courtney Cronin
The Vikings can absolutely be a run-first team if they want to continue to carry that philosophy into 2021. It'd probably help if they were less predictable, like running less on second down, and one way to execute that is by prioritizing an uptick in usage for Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Minnesota has two star wideouts who should each be nearing double-digit targets every game and relied on in critical situations, such as two-minute drives and helping the team get back into contention when playing from behind. -- Courtney Cronin
NFL.com -- Rank: 23
A lost season hit its nadir in a spotlight game on Christmas Day. The Vikings surrendered 52 points and six touchdowns to Alvin Kamara in a blowout loss that officially eliminated Minnesota from postseason contention. After the game, Mike Zimmer chose not to mince words: "Yeah, this is a bad defense," Zimmer said. "Worst one I've ever had." The 52 points were the most allowed by the Vikings since 1963, while the 583 total yards by the Saints represented the most yielded to any opponent in the history of the franchise. You can probably guess where the Vikes will be putting their focus this offseason.
Previous update: Minnesota Vikings Week 16 NFL Power Rankings Roundup
More Minnesota Vikings pages:
- Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Roundup
- Minnesota Vikings Snap Counts
- Minnesota Vikings Franchise Leaders
- Minnesota Vikings Draft History
- Minnesota Vikings Schedule
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- 2021 NFL Mock Draft
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- 2021 NBA Mock Draft
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