The Viking Age
FanSided

Minnesota Vikings Power Rankings Review: Week 8 edition

By Adam Carlson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 22: Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings with the ball in the first half of the game on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 22: Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings with the ball in the first half of the game on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Where do experts have the Minnesota Vikings in their weekly power rankings after their Week 7 win over the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium?

Week 7 of the 2017 NFL season is in the books and the Minnesota Vikings were able to come away with another win. This time, it was the Baltimore Ravens who they defeated at U.S. Bank Stadium to move to 5-2 on the season.

While it wasn’t the prettiest of victories, kicker Kai Forbath knocked through 6 field goals and Latavius Murray found the end zone for the first time this season as the defense made it miserable for the Ravens offense to move the ball.

In response, many experts are finding the Vikings moving up in the power rankings. In fact, one outlet even has them cracking the top 5, meaning that Minnesota is starting to be taken seriously by media.

Here are some notable websites and where they have the Vikings ranked heading into Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns in London:

Ranked #5

  • Bleacher Report – Chris Simms: “The Minnesota Vikings are for real; I don’t care who is at quarterback.”  (Up 3 spots)

Ranked #6

  • Sports Illustrated – MMQB Staff: “Highest-Place Vote: Fifth (2), Lowest-Place Vote: Ninth”
  • Washington Post – Mark Maske: “Can the Vikings be a contender with Case Keenum at QB? Apparently so, at least in this version of the NFC North and the NFC as a whole.” (Up 1 spot)

Ranked #7

  • NFL.com – Elliot Harrison: “No defense is playing hotter than the Vikings right now. Minnesota is allowing 17 points per game.”  (Up 2 spots)
  • Yahoo Sports – Frank Schwab: “A couple three-catch games with Stefon Diggs out doesn’t mean Treadwell is becoming a star, but at least there’s some positive movement that way.” (Up 5 spots)

More from The Viking Age

Ranked #8

  • Bleeding Green Nation – Brandon Lee Gowton: “The Vikings are in a weird spot where they’re winning games but they’re not super threatening due to their quarterback situation.” (Up 7 spots)
  • CBS Sports – Pete Prisco: “It’s all about the defense for the Vikings, but it might be a unit good enough to carry them to a playoff berth.” (No change)
  • ESPN.com: “With Aaron Rodgers out, the Vikings are the favorite to win the NFC North now.”  (Up 5 spots)
  • NY Daily News – Manish Mehta: “How long can Minnesota ride the Case Keenum train? Three wins and counting with the Browns (in London) on deck.” (Up 5 spots)
  • USA TODAY Sports: “DE Everson Griffen deserves more love. He’s sixth player to record a sack in each of his team’s first seven games [since 1982] and has nine overall.” (Up 6 spots)

Ranked #10

  • Chicago Tribune  – Brad Biggs: “Quietly Mike Zimmer’s team can win its fourth consecutive game, but it’s got to go to London to do it. The upside? The Vikings are playing the Browns.” (Up 3 spots)

As you can see, the placement of the Vikings in the weekly power rankings is still a bit spread out. The main factor for that is whether or not they believe the team’s offense can put enough points on the board to win games.

Next: Week 7 game grades vs Baltimore

What do you think? Do you think the Minnesota Vikings deserve to be placed as high as #5 in the power rankings? Or do you feel they are more fitting to be placed on the lower end? Let us know in the comments below.

Home/Minnesota Vikings News