NFL power rankings, Week 15: Vikings move to top half of league

The Minnesota Vikings have a winning record, and are two wins away from guaranteeing having one for the whole season. They're 7-6, and just beat the rival Chicago Bears to remain in the playoff hunt. They're one of the surprises this year, given that they picked in the top three in the 2012 NFL Draft this offseason.

Joel Thorman of SB Nation released his Week 15 power rankings, and the Vikings are moving up at a good clip. They're at No. 14 this week:

14. Minnesota Vikings (LW: 17, 7-6): Everyone keeps talking about what Adrian Peterson needs to hit 2,000 yards (134 yards per game). What about what he needs to break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record? 169 yards per game.

Being at No. 14, they're just in the top half of the league, when they were in the bottom half last week. It's a gain of three spots after beating the Bears, who are starting to fall far behind at this point. In fact, with an 8-5 record, they're one spot below the Vikings at No. 15.

Thorman talks about Peterson, and he's not the first. Peterson came back from one of the most debilitating injuries one can actually return from in sports and is playing out of his mind. He's the catalyst for Minnesota's success at this point.