NFL power rankings Week 12: When will the national media take 8-2 Vikings seriously?

No matter how many games the Minnesota Vikings win, there always seems to be a qualifier.

The Vikings started 5-0, but …  is it sustainable with journeyman Sam Darnold under center? 

The Vikings beat the Jaguars, but … can we trust an offense that managed just four field goals against the worst team in the NFL?

The Vikings beat the Titans, but … they allowed way too many passing yards to a bottom-tier quarterback in Will Levis. 

The Vikings are 8-2, but … look at the opponents they’ve faced recently, and now they get the tumbling Chicago Bears!

MORE: Surprise Vikings position group named potential liability in quest for Super Bowl

Even as it continues to keep pace with the surging Detroit Lions (9-1) in the crowded NFC North, Minnesota remains a fun story the national media isn’t taking all that seriously. Sunday’s 10-point win over lowly Tennessee was dwarfed by Detroit's 52-6 pummeling of Jacksonville.

Minnesota deserves more credit. Winning road games in the NFL is never easy, and the Vikings will try to make it three road victories in a row in Week 12 at Chicago. 

As for the outside chatter surrounding the team, you be the judge. Here’s what the experts are saying in Monday morning power rankings:

NFL power rankings Week 12: Minnesota Vikings

• Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: No. 6 (up 2 spots)

Iyer: "The Vikings restored some steady play for Sam Darnold on the road, and their defense had no trouble with a very limited Titans offense. They can strengthen their wild-card position in the NFC North with the Bears and Cardinals up next.”

• Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: No. 6 (up 2 spots)

Cluff: "How's this for distributing the football? Sam Darnold targeted 10 different receivers Sunday, with nine of them catching passes.”

• Sayre Bedinger, NFL Spin Zone: No. 7 (up 4 spots)

Bedinger: "At this stage, you can’t really do much except tip your cap to Kevin O’Connell and the job that he’s done for the Minnesota Vikings since taking over as the team’s head coach. I’ll be honest and confess that I felt as though the Vikings were going to struggle a bit this year with Sam Darnold at the helm, but they are 8-2 and they are actually keeping pace with the Detroit Lions in the NFC North a little bit. Now, how long is that going to last? The Lions don’t look like they’re going to lose many more games. The Vikings have to start by getting to their 9th win which could happen Sunday in Chicago. They’ve got to find a way to kick the Bears while they’re down.”

• Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: No. 7 (up 2 spots)

Johnson: "It’s a step forward for the Minnesota Vikings. The offense isn’t quite as efficient since the season-ending injury to Sam Darnold and this ground game has become far less efficient. Fortunately for Minnesota, Sam Darnold played well against an above-average defense and that’s all you need when Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is cooking up clinics like this.”

• Taylor Wirth, NBC Sports: No. 6 (up 1 spot)

Wirth: "A decent, bounce-back game from Sam Darnold, and the defense continued to suffocate. That's the formula. They have some tough divisional matchups ahead, though.”

• Peter Dewey, Sports Illustrated: No. 10 (up 3 spots)

Dewey: Minnesota picked up another win against an inferior opponent — Tennessee — on Sunday, keeping it just one game behind Detroit in the NFC North.”

Consensus ranking: No. 7 (up 2 spots)