Week 17 NFL Power Rankings: Adrian Peterson Injury Overshadows Vikings' Rise

Though the Minnesota Vikings will likely see no tangible benefits to their Week 16 win — it ended their hopes of scoring the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, and included a brutal Adrian Peterson injury that could keep the Minnesota star out into next season — they are already reaping the minor boost in esteem that comes with an unexpected win over another moribund team.

The Vikings leapt a full two spots in the Week 17 edition of SB Nation's NFL Power Rankings, moving from No. 30 to No. 28. Here's what Joel Thorman thinks about the Vikings this week:

28. Minnesota Vikings (3-12, LW: 30): Kudos to the Vikings for picking up a win but the real news out of Minnesota is Adrian Peterson's injury. His status for the start of 2012 is iffy.

Well, that was slightly less positive than some Vikings fans were probably hoping for.

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