NFL Power Rankings: Vikings still puzzle analysts

The standings and schedule seem to suggest that the Vikings have a statistically decent chance of making the postseason. But the quarterback regression is undeniable now; even Kevin O’Connell has called it a “week-to-week” operation, and I know exactly what he means. Joshua Dobbs gave the team a jolt, and then he crashed. Nick Mullens started Saturday and looked poised to deliver a huge road win. Instead, he finished with two picks deep in Cincinnati territory (one to a 311-pound defensive tackle) and should have thrown a pick-six, but the Bengals jumped offsides. That and a strange, late collapse by Minnesota’s vastly improved defense did the Vikings in. This team sure could use a guy like Jake Browning! (Different context, but this joke reminds me of the line from Major League when the pitching coach says, “Wish we had him two years ago,” to which the GM responds: “We did.”)

What happened to the defense against the Bengals? Now they face a big game against the Lions, a team we know can score.

You folks seriously ranked this team 18th? Were you sitting in the obstructed-view seats next to Haliegh Mullens behind the Frost Giants for Ja’Marr Chase Fan Club on Saturday? 

The Vikings gave away a game they should have won against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday afternoon. Nick Mullens, Minnesota’s fourth starting QB of the year, made a few plays but was horribly erratic. But the Vikings’ defensive collapse against Bengals backup Jake Browning was even more disappointing.

Under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Vikings have sent five or more pass-rushers on 45.7% of opposing dropbacks. The league-wide average is 26.3%, and the next-closest team is the Giants at 39.3%. The heavy blitzing has been largely effective for a team that entered the season with only one proven pass-rusher (linebacker Danielle Hunter ranks second in the league with 15.5 sacks). The Vikings rank among the NFL’s top five in most defensive statistics but have recently given up some late leads when teams have exploited the unusual zone coverages behind the heavy rush. — Kevin Seifert

It’s wild to think how close the Vikings might be to a miracle playoff spot if they could master the quarterback sneak. And still, with two games to play against Detroit, you can’t completely write them off yet.

In the seven games Jefferson has played, he’s averaging 97.43 receiving yards per game, which ranks behind only Tyreek Hill. However, after Saturday, Minnesota is 2-5 when he’s in the lineup. In games Jefferson has missed because of injury, the Vikings are 5-2. Nick Mullens became the fourth quarterback to start a game for Minnesota on Saturday. He threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns but also had two interceptions.

Minnesota remains an NFC wild-card contender, but in his first game as the team’s starting QB, Nick Mullens didn’t look much better than Joshua Dobbs has over the past few weeks. Mullens made some big plays and tough throws, but also made risky choices that led to bad turnovers. Two of the Vikings’ three remaining games are against the Lions, and the other is against the Packers. If Minnesota can finish the season at 9-8, there’s a 98 percent chance they’ll make the playoffs. But if they lose two of those three games, they’ll be on the outside looking in. —Ben Solak

The Vikings got the sharper QB play they wanted from backup Nick Mullens as he helped wake up the downfield passing game. The running game also was elevated by backup Ty Chandler. But the defensive breakdowns against the pass came back to haunt them in Cincinnati and could still keep them out of the playoffs.

The sooner they forget about Saturday, the sooner they can get things back on track before the clock strikes 12.

It’s disheartening to lose when Nick Mullens played well, Ty Chandler went off and the Vikings outplayed the Bengals for three quarters. The good news, though, is Mullens did throw for more than 300 yards and despite some bad mistakes, he looked serviceable. Minnesota is still on track to make the playoffs.