**No. 4 (up 1 spot): NFL Staff,** [Bleacher Report](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10146403-br-experts-week-15-nfl-power-rankings-where-does-every-team-stand)
_There isn't a more surprising success story this season than the resurgence of quarterback Sam Darnold with the Minnesota Vikings this season._
_Darnold hit something like a midseason bump where he struggled with turnovers. But in Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons, he looked like an elite signal-caller. The seventh-year veteran had one more incompletion (six) than touchdown passes (five). Darnold was the first Vikings quarterback in 20 years to throw five scores, and his passer rating of 157.9 was a franchise record._
_After the win, Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson talked up his quarterback while speaking to reporters._
"Sam's been playing great this whole year, but especially these last few weeks, he's had some big drives at the end of games. And then this week, obviously the second half that we had, it was a lot of fun to watch him work and ball a little bit," Hockenson said. "I mean, he had a great game. The first time in 20 years that a (Vikings) quarterback threw five touchdowns, that's insane. So, it was a lot of fun. I'm glad that he's on our side."
Bleacher Report NFL analyst Kristopher Knox said the following: "The Detroit Lions aren't giving up ground in the NFC North, and they continue to overshadow the Vikings. However, Minnesota is among the handful of NFC teams that could realistically make a push to the Super Bowl. The Vikings don't have a shut-down defense, but a solid front, a strong pass rush, and a penchant for turnovers make it good enough. Sam Darnold appears to be over his midseason slump, and he has an embarrassment of playmakers at his disposal. And the No. 1 seed still isn't out of the question for Minnesota."