NFL Week 15 Power Rankings

No. 19 (up 3 spots): Frank Schwab – Yahoo! Sports

The Vikings aren’t dead yet. In a bad NFC Wild Card race, they’re actually very much alive. The problem is, do you trust the Vikings to not blow games down the stretch? They tried their best to screw up that Steelers win last week.

No. 18 (up 3 spots): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports

They always seem to make it interesting in the end. But they found a way against the Steelers last Thursday, which keeps them in the playoff mix.

No. 20 (up 1 spot): NFL Staff – Bleacher Report

The Minnesota Vikings played arguably their most dominant half of football Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They then turned around and let the Steelers right back into the game, which speaks to the problems they’ve had this season.

Running back Dalvin Cook gashed Pittsburgh for over 200 rushing yards, but quarterback Kirk Cousins completed less than half of his passes. The Vikings completely shut down the Steelers offense in the first half, but they allowed touchdowns on three straight drives in the second half.

Linebacker Anthony Barr told reporters afterward that all of the close games are taking a toll on his psyche, but he’s glad to be on the right side of one after last week’s crushing loss to Detroit.

“It is frustrating having to come down to the last second. It’s taken a few years of my life this season, but it’s good to be on this side of a close one,” Barr said.

The Vikings have a chance to get back to .500 next week against the rival Bears. But with the Rams and Packers on the schedule after that, making a playoff push will be equal parts difficult and unlikely.