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The Minnesota Vikings hosted and beat the scuffling Detroit Lions last Sunday, 34-24. The NFC North win snapped the Vikings' two-game losing streak and kept them in the seventh spot in the NFC playoff picture, behind 6-4 Seattle only by virtue of a head-to-head loss.
NFL writers have Minnesota in the middle of their power rankings this week, and if their placement of the team in these meaningful hierarchies isn't all exactly the same, their awe at Adrian Peterson's exploits less than a year removed from a shredded knee is shared. Joel Thorman at SBNation, who has the Vikings at 15 this week, says AP is "from another planet." Brian Billick at FOX Sports, who also has the Vikings at 15, says Peterson is "making it very difficult for Peyton Manning to win Comeback Player of the Year."
The Associated Press Pro 32 rankings have Minnesota at 15, up three spots. Elliott Harrison at NFL.com puts the Vikings at 14 in his latest rankings, and ESPN also has the Vikes at 14.