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NFL Power Rankings, Week 16: Bears celebrating, Patriots fading

By Russell S. Baxter

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 16: Jordan Howard #24 and Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears celebrate after Howard scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers with at Soldier Field on December 16, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 16: Jordan Howard #24 and Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears celebrate after Howard scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers with at Soldier Field on December 16, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Minnesota Vikings Running Back Dalvin Cook (33) is brought down by Miami Dolphins Linebacker Raekwon McMillan (52) and Miami Dolphins Defensive End Cameron Wake (91) during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins on December 16, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Minnesota Vikings Running Back Dalvin Cook (33) is brought down by Miami Dolphins Linebacker Raekwon McMillan (52) and Miami Dolphins Defensive End Cameron Wake (91) during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins on December 16, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

8. team. 60. . 7-6-1. Previous: . Minnesota Vikings

Recap: With Monday night’s disappointing 21-7 loss at Seattle in which the team didn’t reach the end zone until 1:10 remaining in the game, the club opted to part ways with offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. Now Mike Zimmer’s club took aim at the visiting Miami Dolphins and the team jumped out to an early 21-0 leads thanks to a 13-yard scoring pass from Kirk Cousins to Stefon Diggs and touchdown runs by Dalvin Cook (13 yards) and Latavius Murray (18 yards). Cook finished with 136 yards and two scores and the club wound up with 220 yards on the ground on 40 attempts. And Dolphins’ quarterback Ryan Tannehill was sacked nine times.

Next Week: It’s a trip to the Motor City for the Vikings, who are in position to sweep the Detroit Lions for the first time since 2012. Back in Week 9 at Minnesota, Zimmer’s team held the Men from Motown without a touchdown and sacked Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford 10 times in a comfortable 24-9 triumph.

Playoff hopes: The Purple Gang is back above .500 and right in the mix with numerous teams. And it didn’t hurt that the Cowboys and Seahawks wound up losing on Sunday. There will be no second straight division title for the Vikings, who need to keep winning and if they are to wrap up one of those wild card invitations.

Next: No. 7

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