Minnesota Vikings plummet in NFL power rankings after Week 6 disgrace

Vikings power rankings heading into Week 7

Last week’s power rankings were a mixed bag for the Vikings. Some experts were encouraged by the team’s ability to stick with the Seattle Seahawks until the final whistle and so they kept them close to their sport from the previous week.

Sadly, their optimism wasn’t likely to last after being blown out and embarrassed by a Falcons squad that hadn’t won a single game before absolutely destroying the purple and gold at U.S. Bank Stadium

Let’s see just how much damage was done in the power rankings heading into the team’s Week 7 bye.

Bleacher Report

26th (↓ 6)

• “So, this is what rock bottom looks like.” – B/R NFL Staff

USA Today Sports

26nd (↓ 4)

•  “Harrison Smith said, ‘I guess I’ve kind of been out of the loop – I didn’t know we were supposed to be bad.’ You should probably stay looped in going forward, Harrison.” – USA Today’s Nate Davis

ESPN

25th (↓ 4)

• “The Vikings’ defense is dealing with injuries everywhere, but Hunter’s is the most significant.” – ESPN’s Courtney Cronin

Sports Illustrated

26th (↓ 10)

• “They need to figure things out right now and save their season in a stretch against all three NFC North rivals right in a row.” – Sports Illustrated’s Mitch Goldich

Sporting News

24th (↓ 2)

• “With the Packers and Bears rolling, the Vikings can stick a fork in their playoff hopes.” – Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer

NFL.com

27th (↓ 8)

• “On a bye now, a trip to Lambeau Field in Week 8 looms as a potential knockout punch.”  – NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus

Yahoo Sports

26th (↓ 6)

• “Well, the Vikings are bad. But we might be watching something special with Justin Jefferson.” – Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab

Pro Football Network

27th (↓ 11)

• “The Vikings got crushed by Atlanta in a game that was never close.” – Pro Football Network’s Matt Williamson

ProFootballTalk

28th (↓ 3)

• “Kirk Cousins thinks he’ll be benched if he keeps throwing interceptions. He’d have to throw a lot of interceptions to be benched for Sean Mannion.” – ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio

CBS Sports

26th (↓ 2)

• “The defense isn’t good, which puts more pressure on the offense and Kirk Cousins isn’t playing well enough for that.” – CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco

The Dynasty Draft Room

26th (↓ 8)

• “The Minnesota Vikings have struggled all year and are now 1-5 on the year.” – TDDR’s Zack Patraw

The average placement for the Vikings this week is 26.1, a massive drop of 5.6 spots. This is perhaps not only in response to the humiliating loss to the Falcons, but it’s also the combination of frustration by being wrong about this team hanging with the Seahawks the previous week.

Experts most often put the team in the No. 26 slot, with six of the 11 power rankings having Minnesota in that spot. Even those who had the Vikings ranked much better previously seem to have lost their hope for a rebound.

The worst part about this power ranking is the range of placement. Last week, it was eight places but this week sees the purple and gold tighten up to five, meaning the experts are closer to a consensus on who the team really is.

As far as the spread, placement ranged from 17 to 25, giving a range of eight. Interestingly, that is the exact same range as last week, meaning Sunday night’s game didn’t help in making the experts agree on where the team deserves to be ranked in the scope of the NFL.