Minnesota Vikings dominate the NFL Power Rankings, finally claim the number one spot
The Minnesota Vikings are finally at the top of the league after starting 4-0 and winning 31-29 over the Green Bay Packers. It was a tumultuous game, and the Vikings built a 28-point lead but allowed the Packers to outscore them 29-3 in the final 31 minutes. The latest NFL power rankings are out and the […]
The Minnesota Vikings are finally at the top of the league after starting 4-0 and winning 31-29 over the Green Bay Packers. It was a tumultuous game, and the Vikings built a 28-point lead but allowed the Packers to outscore them 29-3 in the final 31 minutes.
The latest NFL power rankings are out and the Vikings have finally reached the top spot.
The Athletic's Josh Kendall
Last week: 4
This week: 1
The Vikings are having the NFL’s most surprising season without much help from their rookie class. First-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy was lost to a knee injury in the preseason, opening the way for Sam Darnold, who leads the league with 11 touchdown passes and has thrown only three interceptions. First-round edge rusher Dallas Turner has only five tackles and one sack through four games.
USA Today's Nate Davis
Last week: 3
This week: 2
This feels precarious for different reasons given the Vikes' unexpected ascent. But their 4-0 mark is no fluke, nor are the MVP credentials – seriously – of QB Sam Darnold, now the first player in the league's broad history to win his first four games with a team while throwing multiple touchdown passes in each. Next, they'll play in their first nationally televised window – Sunday morning on London's international stage.
Bleacher Report's NFL Staff
Last week: 3
This week: 2
What in the Sam Darnold is going on?
After surviving a frenetic comeback attempt by the Packers in week 4, the Minnesota Vikings aren't just undefeated. For long stretches, the Vikes have looked like the most dominant team in the NFL. One week after blowing out the Houston Texans, the Vikings roared out to a 28-7 lead at Lambeau Field.
Darnold continues to play the best football of his career, throwing for 275 yards and three scores against the Pack. Wide receiver Jordan Addison found the end zone in his first game action since the opener. Minnesota's defense was gashed for 465 yards, but the Vikings also forced four Packers turnovers.
The Ringer's Diante Lee
Last week: 10
This week: 7
Kevin O’Connell is giving Sherman Klump with his brilliant offensive play design—and quarterback Sam Darnold is making bad decisions and wrestling for control like Buddy Love. Darnold’s second-half turnovers in Week 4 felt familiar, but O’Connell has been too good as a coach to allow his quarterback to torpedo Minnesota’s hot start. As long as wide receiver Justin Jefferson is drawing enough attention from opposing defenses to keep his teammates open and Klum, er, O’Connell, is at the controls, I can’t see things going off the rails, even when Darnold’s play inevitably cools off.
The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer
Last week: 4
This week: 2
Sam Darnold has maximized the offensive pop with Justin Jefferson and the rest of the receivers. The defense continues to dictate terms with big plays, sacks, and takeaways. Kevin O'Connell easily has the best team in the NFC so far.
Yahoo! Sports' Frank Schwab
Last week:4
This week:2
The Vikings should have some worry about their fourth quarters. Focus through 60 minutes is a skill, and almost blowing that game to the Packers wasn’t great. But overall, the Vikings couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season.
Fox Sports' David Helman
Last week: 7
This week: 4
You won’t find a more impressive feat in the league so far this year than downing San Francisco, Houston and Green Bay, back to back to back. At the very least, Brian Flores’ defense is going to keep the Vikings in every game they play. With that as a baseline, it’s all about finding out just how high Sam Darnold can raise their ceiling. Right now, it’s looking pretty darn high.
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco
Last week: 3
This week: 2
They are rolling on both sides of the ball. They dominated the Packers Sunday for most of the game before letting them back in late. They will be challenged by the Jets this week in London.
ESPN's NFL Nation
Last week: 3
This week: 2
Biggest issue on defense: Age/snap counts
Brian Flores' defense has been one of the NFL's best stories this season, and there are no glaring issues. But after the group allowed 22 points in the fourth quarter to the Packers, it's worth thinking about age and snap counts. Of the 10 defensive players who have started all four games, three are 30 or older and six are 28 or older. So far this season, the Vikings' defense has played the league's third-most defensive snaps (272). Safety Harrison Smith (35), cornerback Stephon Gilmore (34) and No. 3 corner Shaq Griffin (29) constitute one of the NFL's oldest secondaries. — Kevin Seifert
NFL.com's Eric Edholm
Last week: 3
This week: 1
It wasn’t quite the Georgia-Alabama thriller on Saturday night, but the Vikings had to sweat out a win at Lambeau Field that they completely dominated for the first 29 minutes. The muffed punt late in the second quarter opened the floodgates, and the defense took some lumps in the fourth quarter, but Brian Flores’ unit responded with two late turnovers to help stop the bleeding a bit. The Vikings couldn’t have put this one away without Kevin O’Connell going back on the attack late, trusting Sam Darnold to take them home. Even with a few hiccups, Minnesota's QB did just that on an important field-goal drive that ultimately provided the winning margin. Past Vikings outfits might have coughed this one up, but this team showed toughness and reinforced the idea that it’s going to be a handful all season with the way things are going.
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