Last Season: 11-5
NFC North champs; lost in wild-card round
Preseason power ranking: 12
One of the league's top defenses stands up to a slate of prolific passers, the offensive line holds up, running back Adrian Peterson surges to another impressive season at age 31 and the Vikings get serviceable quarterback play from Shaun Hill and/or Sam Bradford in the absence of Teddy Bridgewater. With Peterson's contributions, a stout defense and strong special teams units, the Vikings return to the playoffs for the second straight season, even after the season-ending injury to Bridgewater.