The Vikings (11-3) put together that largest comeback in NFL history by beating the Colts 39-36 after trailing 33-0 at halftime.

Minnesota clinched the NFC North with this effort and will look to win back-to-back games as it welcomes the New York Giants (8-5-1) to U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday.

Here's a look at where the Vikings rank heading into Week 16:

No. 8 (down 1 spot): Dan Hanzus – NFL.com

The Vikings obviously have a sense of humor. They must know the football world has been in an ongoing debate about whether the team is a legitimate contender or an outright fraud — it's the only possible explanation for falling behind the lowly Colts 33-0 at halftime on Saturday before mounting the greatest comeback in the 103-year history of the NFL. "You just need five touchdowns," veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson told his offensive teammates at halftime. "That's nothing." The final touchdown came from Dalvin Cook, who nearly brought the roof down at U.S. Bank Stadium on the 64-yard screen-pass score with less than three minutes to play in regulation that set up Greg Joseph's game-winner in overtime. Call them contenders, call them pretenders ... just don't call them boring.

No. 7 (no change): NFL Staff – Bleacher Report

The first half of Saturday's tilt with the Colts was a disaster for the Minnesota Vikings. Everything that could go wrong did. Turnovers. Bad defense. You name it, it happened.

At intermission, the Vikings trailed 33-0 and looked nothing like a Super Bowl contender. But in the second half, we got another "Minneapolis Miracle" — the greatest comeback in NFL history.

For veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson, Saturday's wild win just another example of the Vikings' ability to rally around one another.

"Nothing fazes us. We showed that in Buffalo," Peterson told reporters. "We showed that again today."

Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen echoed the sentiments.

"It's a special group, a lot of fighters," Thielen said.

Minnesota clinched the NFC North title with the victory. But the team's nonexistent defense in the first half left Gary Davenport wondering how this team will fare against the NFC's best once the postseason starts.

"Coming back from 33 down is a great story and all," he said. "But Minnesota allowed 36 points against one of the worst offenses in the league. This also marked the first time in over a month that the Vikings allowed less than 400 yards of offense.

"The Vikings are a good team. But those defensive deficiencies can't be overlooked — and they're going to cost Minnesota in the playoffs."

No. 6 (up 1 spot): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports

Rallying from 33 down to beat the Colts could be the game that gets this team going. Kirk Cousins was outstanding in the comeback.

No. 7 (up 2 spots): Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated

Good for the Vikings, who notched the largest comeback in NFL history. As I wrote at the time, I don't care that it's the Colts. This was still a professional football game. While I'm still not picking them to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs (opponent pending), I think this does a great deal for Minnesota's collective psyche, so long as it's not completely exhausted.

No. 7 (up 1 spot): Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk

It's one thing to come back from 33-0 against the Colts. It's another to do it against, you know, a good team.

No. 8 (down 1 spot): Nate Davis – USA TODAY Sports

Historic, wonderful comeback ... blah, blah. The fact they fell into a 33-point hole — at home — to say nothing of the seven sacks Minnesota surrendered or its three turnovers, is going to give whichever team(s) travels to Minneapolis during the playoffs plenty of confidence it can leave with a victory.

No. 7 (no change): Frank Schwab – Yahoo! Sports

If you want to entertain yourself, go to social media and say something like "Kirk Cousins actually isn't that bad!" People lose their minds ripping Cousins. He's the same quarterback who has seven fourth-quarter comebacks this season and put up 460 yards and four touchdowns in the greatest comeback in NFL history last week. Is Cousins great? No. He's just a lot better than his detractors will ever admit.