Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Post-Super Bowl 53 wrap-up for 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 30: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts on the sideline in the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 30: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts on the sideline in the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

60. . 8-7-1 record. . Minnesota Vikings. 13. team

Oh, where do the Minnesota Vikings go from here?

After such a magical 2017 season, the Vikings are another example of a disappointment despite so much hype entering the following year. Perhaps inking quarterback Kirk Cousins to a massive, fully guaranteed free-agent deal wasn’t the wisest of moves after all.

But Cousins is there to stay, and there isn’t any changing that heading into 2019. At least he has two of the most prolific wide receivers at his disposal, Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. That helps keep the Vikings in the top half of our NFL power rankings.

Where has running back Dalvin Cook been? Minnesota needs to get him back on track, especially over the full course of a year.

The Vikings will need to answer some key questions on defense, too, namely with linebacker Anthony Barr and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the latter go, especially with such a deep defensive NFL Draft class this year.

But if Minnesota is going to make headway in the NFC North, they’ll have to contend with that Bears defense, meaning the Vikings will finally need to click on this side of the ball.

It hasn’t happened yet with Cousins under center.