Vikings are nearly a unanimous top 3 team in NFL Power Rankings, but one NFL analyst still doesn't believe in them
The Minnesota Vikings are one of two 5-0 teams in the National Football League. They will face arguably their biggest test after their week six bye when they host division their division rival the Detroit Lions. It took a little bit for many around the NFL to believe in the Vikings, as they were viewed […]
The Minnesota Vikings are one of two 5-0 teams in the National Football League. They will face arguably their biggest test after their week six bye when they host division their division rival the Detroit Lions.
It took a little bit for many around the NFL to believe in the Vikings, as they were viewed as one of the lower teams in the league going into the year. After starting 4-0, they were a near-unanimous top-three team in the power rankings. There was one holdout from even making the top five and they still don't fully believe.
The Ringer's Diante Lee
Last week: 7
This week: 7
Since half time of last week’s game against Green Bay, quarterback Sam Darnold has had a combined stat line of 23/44 for 318 yards, two interceptions, and six sacks. Head coach Kevin O’Connell can get the ball to star receiver Justin Jefferson whenever he wants, but Darnold’s issues with distributing the ball and avoiding pressure are becoming more evident. Minnesota has had problems moving the ball on the ground without running back Aaron Jones as well, and it feels like this team can’t hide Darnold much longer, even as it continues winning.
ESPN's NFL Nation
Last week: 2
This week: 2
Fantasy surprise: QB Sam Darnold
Both Darnold and running back Aaron Jones have performed well, but if there has been a surprise, it's that the Vikings are largely attacking via the air from the low red zone. Six of Darnold's 11 touchdown passes have come on goal-to-go situations, and as a result Jones has only one rushing touchdown this season. (He has also caught a red zone scoring pass.) This certainly hasn't hurt the Vikings' outcomes and, based on the way the team has been built, has probably enhanced it. But part of the reason the team signed Jones in the offseason was to have more scoring options near the goal line. Darnold is averaging 16.5 fantasy points this season, while Jones is averaging 15.7. — Kevin Seifert
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio
Last week: 3
This week: 3
The special teams need work, with the exception of the kicker.
Yahoo! Sports' Frank Schwab
Last week: 2
This week: 2
We’ll see how well the Jets win ages, but we can put it in the quality win bucket for now. That’s four impressive wins in a row for the Vikings. The offense wasn’t great, but that was against a tough defense. No team has looked more complete this season.
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco
Last week: 2
This week: 2
The offense showed some flaws against the Jets, but the defense came up big again. Brian Flores is doing one heck of a job with that unit.
Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr
Last week: 3
This week: 3
While the paint job seems to be thinning a bit on the Vikings’ supernova, this team has given itself an incredible runway and gets a massive showdown with the Lions after their bye week. An early self-scout and a rest period for veterans like Aaron Jones are coming at the right time. Brian Flores can evolve on a scheme that no one can seem to figure out. We’ll have to wait another week for the latest Andrew Van Ginkel pick-six.
NFL.com's Eric Edholm
Last week: 1
This week: 1
The bye week would have felt a lot different had the Vikings somehow coughed up Sunday's game in London after jumping out to a 17-0 lead. But as shaky as things got, all three phases contributed in a notable way to the 23-17 victory over the Jets, pushing the dream start to this campaign to 5-0. Sam Darnold struggled worse than he had all season, badly overthrowing an interception into traffic that opened the door for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. The offense struggled with the loss of RB Aaron Jones to a hip injury, but Darnold made enough big throws late. Andrew Van Ginkel's pick-six opened the early floodgates and Stephon Gilmore's pick closed the door. But don't forget rookie Will Reichard's three big field goals in crummy weather, two of them from beyond 50 yards. It's OK to win ugly sometimes.
The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer
Last week: 2
This week: 2
The Vikings have done everything to prove their worth as the best team in the NFC, thanks mostly to Andrew Van Ginkel and the rest of Brian Flores' defense. They're not "perfect" as an undefeated team with some offensive kinks, but their resume is strong with the Jets being the latest victim.
USA Today's Nate Davis
Last week: 2
This week: 2
They wobbled out of London with a close-shave victory in which QB Sam Darnold looked like … Sam Darnold. RB Aaron Jones' hip injury further hindered the offense. Good thing there's more to this team – like a ferocious defense featuring OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, the first player in league history to record at least three sacks and multiple pick-sixes in the first five weeks of a season.
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