Minnesota Vikings Week 9 Power Rankings Review: A dip after loss to Saints

The Minnesota Vikings have taken a bit if a hit in the power rankings following a Week 8 loss to the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium.

During Week 8 of the NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings failed to defeat the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium due to the team shooting themselves in the foot with turnovers and mistakes against one of the best teams in the league.

This loss against a tough opponent has forced them down the weekly power rankings heading into Week 9 against the Detroit Lions. This is an important game for Minnesota, especially considering they haven’t beat Detroit at the new stadium and it is only their second divisional matchup of the season.

Let’s take a look at how the Vikings are looking through the eyes of experts according to their recently released power rankings!

Ranked 8th

• ESPN: “The Vikings’ inability to consistently win the turnover battle is becoming a concern.” (Down 2 spots)
• NFL.com – Elliot Harrison: “The sense of urgency wasn’t omnipresent for Minnesota, though the team had plenty of time to at least make the Sunday nighter interesting. ” (Down 3 spots)
• Yahoo Sports – Frank Schwab: “I guess there’s a rush to be the first to call Kirk Cousins a bust. I’m not sure how you could watch the first half of the Vikings season and believe he’s the problem.” (Down 3 spots)

Ranked 9th

• Bleacher Report – Consensus: “Despite dominating statistically, the Vikings fell by double digits thanks to two Minnesota turnovers that both led to touchdowns.” (Down 4 spots)
• Pro Football Talk – Mike Florio: “The Vikings desperately need on-field leadership that will keep players from folding the tents after unexpected adversity strikes, like a 14-point swing late in the first half of a game.” (Down 3 spots)
• Sports Illustrated – MMQB: “The NFC North is there for the taking, and the Vikings now face all three division foes in consecutive games.” (Down 4 spots)
• Sporting News – Vinnie Iyer: “The Vikings’ offensive line issues resurfaced against a strong Saints front, and their defense is hurting.” (Down 4 spots)
• USA Today – Nate Davis: “Trick — the gag was on Vikes, whose momentum flatlined Sunday night with no Minneapolis Miracle available to save them from Saints.” (Down 3 spots)

Ranked 10th

• Star Tribune – Mark Craig: “Fantasy fans get their 359 yards passing! And a loss.” (Down 4 spots)

It seems like the experts are honing in on the eight-to-10 range for the Vikings in the power rankings. That placement seems more than fair considering Minnesota is a four-win team halfway through the season and a lot of their playoffs hopes now sit in defeating their division opponents in the back half of the schedule.

However, the fact they only have 3 losses is also something to take into consideration. And with those losses being against the tough Rams and Saints as well as one uncharacteristic loss to the Bills, there is plenty of hope the team can rebound and be close to a 10 win team this season.

Their march toward the NFC Championship starts next week when the Minnesota Vikings host the Detroit Lions. A big division win could be just what the team needs to move up in their division and get back into the playoff picture!