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NFL Power Rankings: 49ers snatch top seed, Patriots lose footing entering playoffs

By Dan Parzych

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 29: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown against the during the first quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 29: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown against the during the first quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

6. Minnesota Vikings (8)

With the Minnesota Vikings already locked in the No. 6 seed, it made perfect sense to rest the starters during Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears since it will be more important to be rested for next weekend’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

After missing out on the playoffs last year, one can only imagine the excitement surrounding the Vikings to watch their season extend into January, but playing the New Orleans Saints on the road will be far from easy.

No one needs to explain just how much of an advantage New Orleans tends to have playing in front of their own fans this time of year, but also Minnesota is the last team to rule out with the talent they have to work with on both sides of the football.

Plenty of key factors will come into play for the Vikings when facing the Saints, but the biggest one of all will easily be the play of Kirk Cousins.

Part of the reason behind Minnesota’s decision to pay Cousins all that guaranteed money was to help the Vikings reach the Super Bowl, and now it’s time for the quarterback to show he was worth every penny with the playoffs getting underway this weekend.

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