Way-too-early 2021 NFL Power Rankings: Rams, Packers, Chiefs chasing Buccaneers

The Minnesota Vikings took a step in the wrong direction in 2020 as head coach Mike Zimmer suffered just his second losing season in his seven-year career. Their 7-9 finish was the same he had as a rookie coach back in 2014 and it has them trying to figure things out heading into the coming season.

Minnesota was 10-6 the prior season and while they did trade away Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills, losing one of the best wideouts in the game is not what set them back. Even without Diggs, their aerial attack was solid thanks in large part to the breakout performance of rookie Justin Jefferson.

The Vikings were also strong on the ground with Dalvin Cook having the best season of his career — and even the much-maligned Kirk Cousins put up decent numbers. So, where did it go wrong? It was the defense this past season as they went from fifth in the NFL in points allowed in 2019 to 29th in 2020 according to Pro Football Reference.

Zimmer, a defensive-minded coach, has only had a defense rank that low once, which was back in 2007 during the debacle of a season he had with the Atlanta Falcons under Bobby Petrino. Needless to say, they should be better in 2021 and if so, the Vikings will be a team in the mix for a playoff spot once again.