NFL Power Rankings: Vikings continue to confuse analysts

The Vikings’ defense has improved in several ways since its shaky start to the season. But after forcing only two turnovers in the first three games of the season, tied for No. 22 in the NFL, the defense forced 17 in its next 10 games — tied for No. 7 during that period. That uptick, which includes nine fumble recoveries and nine interceptions, has coincided with seven victories in 10 games. — Kevin Seifert

The defense is carrying the offense, a year after the offense carried the defense.

Vikings fans should enjoy this defensive turnaround while it lasts because Brian Flores will be a head coach somewhere else next season.-Mike Renner

The fifth-year tight end is on pace for a career season and is third among tight ends in fantasy points (111.9). He had five catches for 53 yards Sunday, which accounted for 22.9 percent of Minnesota’s total yards. The Vikings, who became the second team this season to win a game in which they averaged 3.3 yards per play or fewer (joining the Falcons who beat the Jets averaging 3 yards per play in Week 13), are currently the NFC’s No. 6 seed.

It’s shocking how fast the Joshua Dobbs story crashed to earth. Nick Mullens got the nod in the fourth quarter when Dobbs was benched in a 0-0 game, and Mullens at least did enough to get a 3-0 win. That game was hideous but a huge win for Minnesota’s playoff hopes. Mullens probably becomes the Vikings’ fourth starting quarterback in this weird season for them.

Kevin O’Connell did not pull the bye-week trigger on a quarterback change — but by the fourth quarter against the Raiders on Sunday, he’d seen enough, benching Joshua Dobbs for Nick Mullens. And it worked — kinda. Mullens was a more efficient thrower down the stretch, and a field goal was all Minnesota needed in a 3-0 win. KOC now faces an interesting decision: Go back to Dobbs or give Mullens a shot? Like any good coach, he kept his options open, saying they’re “a week-to-week offense at this point,” which is especially true with Justin Jefferson hurt again. But boy, this Vikings’ defense is out to prove something. Ever since the Week 5 loss to the Chiefs, Brian Flores’ group has been lights out. Shutouts are pretty darned rare; Minnesota’s was just the fifth in the NFL this season, and there were only four in 2022. For that, the Vikings remain fascinating, warts and all.

The offense is so limited right now, but the defense got a shutout to beat the Raiders on Sunday. They can’t count on that every week.

C’mon, Kevin O’Connell, free Nick Mullens – Southern Miss quarterbacks have a glorious history with the Vikes … at least for one season.

The Vikings are 7-6 and alive in the NFC playoff race, but Sunday’s 3-0 win against the Raiders didn’t encourage a lot of belief in this team. Minnesota will go through a week of quarterback-related questions after Nick Mullens was inserted for a struggling Josh Dobbs on Sunday, but the more important question has to do with wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who was taken to the hospital with a chest injury after getting hit hard by Las Vegas safety Marcus Epps in the second quarter, the first game back for Jefferson after he missed two months with a hamstring injury. —Nora Princiotti

Without question, the most exciting game of Week 14 took place in Las Vegas, a thrilling back-and-forth affair between the Raiders and Minnesota Vikings.

Just kidding. The Vikings and Raiders actually played a “game” that was an affront to the sport of football—the lowest-scoring NFL game in 16 years.

It was a hideous affair, but Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (who replaced the ineffective Josh Dobbs) told reporters he’ll take a win any way he can get one.

“You never know when your name is going to be called, but you prepare and work as hard as you can and trust that there’s a plan out there for you,” Mullens said. “I did that, stepped in. The guys did an incredible job. … It doesn’t matter what it looks like. A win is a win.”

“Based on perspective, you could say the Vikings pulled off a gritty 3-0 road win over the Raiders, but in reality, their offense has put together subpar performances going back to Week 11. Minnesota has failed to score more than 20 points in three consecutive outings,” Moton said. “On Sunday, the Vikings benched quarterback Joshua Dobbs for Nick Mullens, who helped lead the offense into field-goal range for the game-winning kick. Because of the Vikings’ questions under center, they’re not going to make much movement in the power rankings. They must address a quarterback controversy, which will significantly impact their push for a playoff spot.”

The Vikings got away with dismal offense and a QB change to Nick Mullens in Las Vegas. The ball just wasn’t moving and there was a deflated feeling of losing Justin Jefferson to a new injury not long after finally getting him back. Minnesota is winning but its playoff position is precarious.