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There are a few positives to the Vikings’ 1-4
start.
The
schedule appears to be easier now than it has been. Wide receiver Justin
Jefferson has emerged as a breakout star. And running back Dalvin Cook leads
the league in rushing.
Another reason to be optimistic: Minnesota
played an undefeated Seahawks team very closely in what ended up being a Week 5
loss.
Despite
that, ESPN did not give the Vikings any benefit of the doubt in the outlet’s
latest NFL power rankings.
ESPN
tabbed Minnesota as the 21st best team in the league, the same ranking that the
outlet gave the Vikings the previous week. Here’s what ESPN’s Courtney Cronin said about Minnesota:
“Minnesota is
getting great play out of tackles Riley Reiff and Brian O’Neill, but its
pass protection on the interior of the offensive line remains an issue. The
Vikings rank 22nd in pass block win rate and can’t establish an effective
dropback game because of it. In Seattle on Sunday, Kirk Cousins got hit nearly
every time he released the football out of the shotgun in the second half. The
QB’s third-quarter fumble after being sacked (a turnover that allowed Seattle
to score two plays later) was the direct result of porous pass protection.”
Unless
Minnesota starts closing out games against teams in playoff contention, I
wouldn’t expect these power rankings to get any better.
