NFL Power Rankings Week 12

No. 12 (up 3 spots): Frank Schwab – Yahoo! Sports

Justin Jefferson on Sunday: eight catches, 169 yards, two touchdowns. Finally the Vikings realize that their first priority in the offense needs to be getting Jefferson touches.

No. 16 (up 3 spots): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports

Beating the Packers in dramatic fashion Sunday keeps their division hopes alive, but the reality is they are likely chasing a Wild Card spot. The offense can be dynamic.

No. 15 (up 2 spots): NFL Staff – Bleacher Report

The story of the 2021 season for the Minnesota Vikings has been heartbreak. The Vikes have been in every game this year, only to continually come up short at the end. All five of Minnesota’s losses have come by seven or fewer points, including a pair of losses in overtime.

Sunday against the rival Packers, it appeared for a while like we might see the same sad story play out again — after taking a 31-24 lead late, the Vikings allowed Aaron Rodgers to burn the team for a 75-yard scoring strike to Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

However, rather than folding, this time the Vikings rallied, driving the length of the field before Greg Joseph knocked through a chip-shot field goal as time expired to lift Minnesota back to .500 and into a playoff spot as things stand now.

It’s the kind of win that can establish some real momentum for a team. But the Vikings won’t have any time to rest — next Sunday brings a trip to Levi’s Stadium to battle a San Francisco 49ers team that is also contending for a Wild Card spot in the NFC.