The Vikings received some help when the Carolina Panthers defeated the Washington Redskins Monday night.
Minnesota (7-7) will have to win both of the team's remaining games and hope for some help for other teams to land a playoff spot.
The Vikings head to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Let's see where the experts placed the Vikings on their power rankings lists for Week 16.
The Vikings hosted a Colts team that had allowed its quarterback to be hit more than any other signal caller in the league, and whose offensive line was severely banged up. Andrew Luck was also without the services of his best red-zone threat. Not only did Minnesota carry these matchup advantages, but a chance to possibly eliminate the Packers next week -- provided the Vikings could beat Indy -- before hosting the Bears in Week 17 should have motivated this team to play great football.
Vikings #20— **NFL.com**
Adrian Peterson's return didn't exactly spark the offense. He has now rushed 37 times this season for 72 yards, an average of 1.95 yards per rush. Peterson and the struggling Vikings visit Green Bay in Week 16.
Vikings #20— **ESPN**
Considering all the injuries, it wasn't a bad year, but it was definitely one that came up shorter than they had hoped – especially after a 5-0 start.
Vikings #22— **FOX Sports**
The Vikings' chances of making the playoffs are down to 2 percent, according to FiveThirtyEight.com's projections. All of the stuff about the Dolphins and how amazing it is that their season turned so dramatically after five games? That's all true about the Vikings too, just in reverse.
Vikings #22— **Yahoo Sports**
*This season has gone wrong in a lot of ways, but losing the way they did to the Colts was embarrassing. They are better than that. *
Vikings #19— **CBS Sports**
Sunday's loss to the Colts is the last thing the organization envisioned. Ever.
Vikings #19 —* ***Pro Football Talk**
