Where we rate the Vikings in our Week 15 power rankings

All the way up to No. 11 this week are the Detroit Lions.

Author:
Joe Nelson
Publish date:
Dec 15, 2022 2:12 PM EST

The Lions are surging, the Vikings are clinging to the edge of a cliff and nobody knows what to make of the 49ers, Ravens and Dolphins. The NFL is really weird this year. Top-heavy, you might say. Let's dig into our Week 15 power rankings...

(1) Philadelphia Eagles (12-1) - It's starting to feel like it'll be Philly or Dallas in the Super Bowl for the NFC.
(2) Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) - Not their best against Denver and still scored 30+.
(3) Dallas Cowboys (10-3) - Red-freaking-hot and getting healthier down the stretch. Scary.
(6) Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) - The AFC champs are roaring again.
(5) Buffalo Bills (10-3) - Are people really worried about the Bills' offense? Josh Allen wasn't impressed when asked on Sunday.
(8) San Francisco 49ers (9-4) - Let's slow the roll on the Brock Purdy bandwagon, but the 'Niners are tough.
(4) Minnesota Vikings (10-3) - The panic button is about to be pressed.
(9) Baltimore Ravens (9-4) - If Lamar Jackson is healthy they can beat anyone.
(7) Miami Dolphins (8-5) - Saturday night in Buffalo in the snow with the AFC East potentially on the line.
(10) Washington Commanders (7-5-1) - We're going to find out if they can stay hot after the bye.
(18) Detroit Lions (6-7) - The team nobody wants to face in the playoffs. Not even Philly wants these Lions (38-35 loss to the Eagles in Week 1, remember).
(12) New York Jets (7-6) - Lost three of four and they could've won those three. 10-3 looks a lot different than 7-6.
(15) Los Angeles Chargers (7-6) - Justin Herbert showing the league what he does when he has Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Very dangerous team come playoff time.
(13) Tennessee Titans (7-6) - Losses to the Bengals and Eagles were fine but getting rocked by the Jags? Red flags everywhere.
(14) Seattle Seahawks (7-6) - About to see what they're made of against the 49ers, Chiefs, Jets and Rams down the stretch.
(11) New York Giants (7-5-1) - Feels like 7-7-1 is two weeks away with the Commanders and Vikings upcoming (both on the road).
(16) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) - It's a tough decision putting down an old dog you've loved forever. That's the 2022 Tampa Bay metaphor.
(17) New England Patriots (7-6) - Can't put a Mac Jones team ahead of a Tom Brady team.
(19) Las Vegas Raiders (5-8) - That loss to the Baker Mayfield and the Rams probably killed their playoff chances.
(20) Cleveland Browns (5-8) - Have to win out for any realistic shot to make the playoffs.
(21) Green Bay Packers (5-8) - Good luck winning out against the Rams, Dolphins, Vikings and Lions.
(27) Carolina Panthers (5-8) - Won three of four! Not. Dead. Yet.
(29) Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8) - Percent chance they upset the Cowboys on Sunday? 10% seem fair? They just beat Baltimore and Tennessee and didn't get killed by the Chiefs...
(22) Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8) - Arguably the most boring team in the NFL. The've scored more than 24 points just once all season.
(23) Atlanta Falcons (5-8) - Enjoy the Desmond Ridder experience for however long it lasts. It starts Sunday at New Orleans.
(30) Los Angeles Rams (4-9) -
(24) Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1) - The 31st-ranked offense meets the 32nd-ranked defense. Something has to give in Minneapolis on Saturday.
(25) New Orleans Saints (4-9) - It's time to start killing off teams in the NFC South. Saints vs. Falcons on Sunday is basically a death match.
(26) Arizona Cardinals (4-9) - So bad that they had to pluck David Blough off the Vikings' practice squad.
(28) Chicago Bears (3-10) - Weird things happen at Soldier Field but probably not weird enough to upset the Eagles on Sunday.
(31) Denver Broncos (3-10) - This is the same team that was once 2-1 and a trendy Super Bowl pick.
(32) Houston Texans (1-11-1) - Only 133 days until the NFL Draft...