The Viking Age
FanSided

Minnesota Vikings Power Rankings Review: Week 9 edition

By Adam Carlson

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Duke Johnson Jr of the Cleaveland Browns is tackled by Eric Kendricks of Minnesota Vikings during the NFL International Series match between Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns at Twickenham Stadium on October 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Duke Johnson Jr of the Cleaveland Browns is tackled by Eric Kendricks of Minnesota Vikings during the NFL International Series match between Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns at Twickenham Stadium on October 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Where do experts have the Minnesota Vikings positioned in their power rankings following a win over Cleveland and heading into their Week 9 bye week?

Entering Week 8 of the NFL season, many experts saw a lot of potential in the Minnesota Vikings. Their blend of strong defense and balanced offensive attack didn’t have everyone sold on their potential, but they were still universally in the top half of power rankings.

After defeating the Browns in the United Kingdom and scoring multiple times against a decent Cleveland defense should be enough to change the mind of some experts and being 6-2 at their bye week should be respected.

Here are where the experts have the Minnesota Vikings in their weekly power rankings as well as their explanation and movement from the previous week:

Ranked #5

  • ESPN.com – “Case Keenum really hasn’t been tested that much, and who knows if and when Sam Bradford or Teddy Bridgewater could return?” (Up 3 spots)

Ranked #6

  • Bleacher Report – Chris Simms: “Minnesota’s defense is special, and the offense is good enough to take the team deep into the playoffs or even win a Super Bowl.” (Down 1 spot)
  • NJ.com – Joe Giglio: “If Teddy Bridgewater reclaims his starting quarterback role, this becomes the most fascinating and feel-good contender in the NFL.”
  • Washington Post – Mark Maske: “There’s no reason to believe that the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers or anyone else in the NFC North will be able to keep pace with the Vikings the rest of the way.” (No change)

Ranked #7

  • NFL.com – Elliot Harrison:  “Another win for the Vikings, who are quietly humming along in a division that is there for the taking.” (No change)
  • Sporting News – Vinnie Iyer: “Purple is the color of the night when the Vikings’ swarming defense goes bump and the fill-in offense goes grind.” (Up 1 spot)
  • Sports Illustrated – MMQB Staff: “Highest-Place Vote: Fifth, Lowest-Place Vote: Ninth (3)” (Down 1 spot)
  • USA TODAY Sports – “They’re already widening gap in Rodgers-less NFC North and could be poised to get nice emotional lift with QB Teddy Bridgewater’s anticipated return.” (Up 1 spot)

More from The Viking Age

Ranked #8

  • CBS Sports – Pete Prisco: “The defense continues to carry this team, but Case Keenum is doing a nice job. Can it continue?” (No change)
  • Yahoo Sports – Frank Schwab: “The Dalvin Cook injury looked like it would wreck the Vikings, but Jerick McKinnon has taken a huge step this season.”  (Down 1 spot)

Ranked #9

  • Bleeding Green Nation – Brandon Lee Gowten: “They had a “road game” against the Browns in London and won because playing Cleveland is a free win.” (No change)

Ranked #10

  • NY Daily News – Manish Mehta: “Call me a pessimist, but I’m still not sold that a team quarterbacked by Case Freakin’ Keenum is anything more than a mirage.” (Down 1 spot)

Next: Ups and Downs from Week 8 vs Browns

A surprising number of experts either left the Minnesota Vikings at the same spot in their power rankings or even dropped them one position after beating the Browns on the road. However, the team should hold steady until after their bye when they face the Redskins in the nation’s capitol.

Home/Minnesota Vikings News