Minnesota Vikings Back on the Rise in NFL Power Rankings

Two-straight losses in weeks 9 and 10, followed by an ugly 12-7 win vs the Jacksonville Jaguars in week 10, had the Minnesota Vikings tumbling down NFL Power rankings across the internet, in recent weeks. This, after a 5-0 start rocketed the purple as high as No. 1, prior to their mid-season misstep.

Weeks nine through eleven, pushed Minnesota all the way down to 8th, in every power ranking we have been tracking, throughout the season. So… what is the Vikings’ lot in the NFL power rankings life after yet another underwhelming victory in Nashville vs the Titans?

Minnesota Vikings moving up NFL Power Rankings once again

Well, the Power Ranking gods liked it more than what happened vs the Jags. Flipping a two-game losing streak into a two-game winning streak has Kevin O’Connell’s crew back on the rise, as high as No. 6 over at ESPN.

The Minnesota Vikings have well surpassed the 6.5 win total they were put on by oddsmakers, entering the season. The path to 8-2 hasn’t always been the prettiest, but every team currently set to make the 2024-25 playoff bracket can say that about a number of their wins too.

Related: Vikings QB Sam Darnold Pulls Shocking PFF Grade vs Titans

Sam Darnold has shown his deficiencies, but he has proven he’s good enough to win games in this league. Flores’ defense is one of the best in the NFL, but can get leaky at times. If this team could just avoid turning the ball over so much, they can hang with anyone.

NFL pundits not convinced the Vikings are legit

NFL pundits remain unconvinced of how “for real” Minnesota really is. Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk), a lifelong fan, says,“The Vikings are simply not fun to watch.” Nate Davis (USA Today) feels the same way, and mentions how they are 5-0 vs AFC teams, which makes some of these upcoming NFC battles even more important, for tiebreaker + playoff seeding purposes.

“They’re a league best 5-0 against the AFC. If only those wins didn’t count for so little in the tiebreaker department.”

Nate Davis – USA Today

The top five is in sight, but the Vikings will need to show more than they have during their past two wins. Sam Darnold didn’t throw an interception on Sunday, but he was charged with a fumble on a pitch to Aaron Jones that should have been caught. If O’Connell wants his team to be taken seriously, then they have to limit self-inflicted wounds and play more disciplined.

Let’s be real. If the Minnesota Vikings want to be a true contender, they need to stomp on the Bears while they are down. Chicago is a mess. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams gets worse, as the season goes on, and the organization feels like it’s on the brink of imploding on a week-in, week-out basis. Head coach Matt Eberflus has already fired his offensive coordinator, and his job could be next.

Related: Should Minnesota Vikings Fans Be Worried About Dallas Turner?

This is the first matchup against the Bears this season, and Minnesota emerged victorious at Soldier Field a year ago. It’s unlikely that Minnesota chases down Detroit or Kansas City in weekly power rankings any time soon. They should surpass a Green Bay Packers team (6th) that they have already beaten this year, and could jump the Philadelphia (5th) to join the top five.