Minnesota Vikings Week 3 Power Rankings Review: A slide after a tie

The Minnesota Vikings fought to a tie against the Packers and now experts have the team dropping a bit in their new weekly NFL Power Rankings for Week 3.

Depending on who you talk to, the Minnesota Vikings either squandered opportunities to get a win at Lambeau Field or the team got lucky based on calls by officials and facing off against an injured Aaron Rodgers.

However, the outcome of the game was a 29-29 tie that puts on the Vikings at 1-0-1 for the season. Although they are technically still undefeated, the perception of the team may have changed in the eyes of experts after being unable to put Green Bay away.

Let’s take a look at where the Vikings stand in Power Rankings from experts as the team looks ahead to Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills!

Ranked #2

• Bleacher Report – Staff: “The not-so-special special teams ruined a phenomenal outing from Cousins, who threw for 425 yards.” (Down 1 spot)
• Yahoo Sports – Frank Schwab: “There’s no shame in getting a tie at Lambeau Field, and the way Kirk Cousins played on Sunday should make the Vikings feel very good going forward.” (Down 1 spot)

Ranked #3

• Business Insider – Scott Davis and Tyler Lauletta: “The Vikings got bailed out thanks to a controversial penalty against Packers linebacker Clay Matthews to save a tie.” (Down 1 spot)
• NFL.com – Elliot Harrison: “Daniel Carlson? Oy. Dan Bailey? Hi.” (No change)
• NJ.com – Joe Giglio: “If there were questions about Kirk Cousins in big moments, those should be answered after the throws he had late on Sunday in Lambeau Field.” (Down 2 spots)

Ranked #4

• Bleacher Report – Paul Kasabian: (No change)
• SBNation – Rebecca Toback: (Down 3 spots)
• Sports Illustrated – MMQB Staff: (No change)
• Sporting News – Vinnie Iyer: “Kirk Cousins has added a lot more punch to the Vikings’ offense, and he was key to their escaping with a tie at Lambeau Field.” (Down 3 spots)

Ranked #5

• CBS Sports – Pete Prisco: “Kirk Cousins was sensational against the Packers. Maybe he was worth all that money.” (No change)
• USA Today – Nate Davis: “After seeing Clay Matthews rooked by refs and Aaron Rodgers limited against swarming D, tie feels bad” (Down 1 spot)
• Washington Post – Mark Maske: “Shouldn’t the Vikings, as the division’s would-be top team, have been able to go to Green Bay and win in relatively decisive fashion with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers hampered by his knee injury?” (Down 1 spot)

Ranked #6

• ESPN.com – Power Panel: “Kirk Cousins became the first Vikings quarterback with 400 passing yards and four touchdowns in a game since Daunte Culpepper in 2004.” (Down 3 spots) 

Ranked #7

• Pro Football Talk – Mike Florio: “A tie is like cutting your kicker.” (Up 1 spot)

It is understandable that experts have the Vikings sliding a bit after fighting to a draw against the Packers. Minnesota fought back in a big way and Kirk Cousins, the receivers, and the defense all looked amazing in the contest, but special teams mistakes kept the team from winning that game. With so many positives and the negatives being corrected, this slide may just be temporary.

The Minnesota Vikings should be able to defeat the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, meaning they could move back up or hold steady in next week’s Power Rankings, but fans will find out next week if they perform well enough to impress the experts.