NFL power rankings: Stacking up all 32 teams heading into Week 15

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers meets Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens at mid field after the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-38 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers meets Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens at mid field after the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-38 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 10: Mario Addison #97 of the Carolina Panthers strips the ball from Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 10: Mario Addison #97 of the Carolina Panthers strips the ball from Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Vikings. 2. team. 60. . L, 31-24 at Panthers. Previous:

Yes, the Vikings manage to climb a spot in our NFL power rankings this week despite losing on the road in Carolina, largely due to what happened with Carson Wentz and the Eagles.

The Vikings were going to have a rough time against the Panthers anyway, and they still were in a decent enough position to come away with a win after tying things up in the fourth quarter.

But Panthers quarterback Cam Newton did Newton-like things, so there’s that to chew on.

Minnesota’s own quarterback, Case Keenum, came back to earth a bit, tossing two touchdowns against two interceptions. And while wide receiver Adam Thielen continues to have big games, the Vikings weren’t able to generate the same sort of red-zone success they would have needed in this contest, going just 1-of-4 in the game.

The Vikings defense wasn’t aided by three critical turnovers either, which ensured the Panthers won the time-of-possession battle here.

Still, Minnesota has to still feel pretty good about its prospects for a deep playoff push.

Biggest Question

The Vikings host the Bengals and Bears in Weeks 15 and 17, respectively, with a road trip to take on the Packers in between. That’s a fairly easy schedule, but one has to wonder if Keenum and Co. can keep Minnesota’s offense rolling well enough when the playoffs start.

That’s a test Keenum has yet to experience, so it’s a solid question mark for head coach Mike Zimmer.