It’s the same as last week — two unbeatens remain
The Minnesota Vikings went across the pond and not only knocked off the New York Jets, but summarily got Robert Saleh fired.
Will that be enough for the Vikes to overtake the Kansas City Chiefs — the only other unbeaten — in the power rankings?
I’m glad you asked — here is the consensus look at this week’s power rankings.
If you have any other rankings you think should be included, feel free to DM me @Brandon_Warne on the tweets.
Let’s talk to it:
The Rankings
- NFL.com — 1st (previously 1st)
Key excerpt: “It’s OK to win ugly sometimes.”
- The Athletic/New York Times — 1st (previously 1st)
Key excerpt: “Darnold’s surprising season is nicely illustrated by his fantasy numbers. His average draft position was 223rd. His actual rank after another victory is 31st, and he’s 12th among quarterbacks with 16.5 points per game.”
Key excerpt: “…but if there has been a surprise, it’s that the Vikings are largely attacking via the air from the low red zone. Six of Darnold’s 11 touchdown passes have come on goal-to-go situations…”
- Pro Football Talk — 3rd (previously 3rd)
Key excerpt: “The special teams need work, with the exception of the kicker.” (editor’s note: wut?)
- CBS Sports (Pete Prisco) — 2nd (previously 2nd)
Key excerpt: “The offense showed some flaws against the Jets, but the defense came up big again. Brian Flores is doing one heck of a job with that unit.”
- Palm Beach Post (Joe Schad) — 2nd (previously 3rd)
Key excerpt: “Will Brian Flores get another head coaching shot?”
- The Score — 2nd (previously 3rd)
Key excerpt: “Minnesota’s defense stepped up in the clutch to keep their perfect record intact.”
- NFL Trade Rumors — 2nd (previously 2nd)
Key excerpt: “This week’s bye might be the only thing that can slow Minnesota’s momentum.”
- Sports Illustrated — 3rd (previously 3rd)
Key excerpt: “While the paint job seems to be thinning a bit on the Vikings’ supernova, this team has given itself an incredible runway and gets a massive showdown with the Lions after their bye week.”
- USA Today — 2nd (previously 2nd)
Key excerpt: “They wobbled out of London with a close-shave victory in which QB Sam Darnold looked like … Sam Darnold.”
- Yahoo! Sports — 2nd (previously 2nd)
Key excerpt: “No team has looked more complete this season.”
- The 33rd Team — 2nd (previously 2nd)
Key excerpt: “No team in the NFL has played a more difficult schedule, and they’ve faced a gauntlet of elite quarterbacks, including C.J. Stroud, Brock Purdy, Jordan Love, and Aaron Rodgers.”
- Marquee Sports Network — 2nd (previously 2nd)
Key excerpt: “Kevin O’Connell for coach of the year. Book it.”
- New York Post — 2nd (previously 2nd)
Key excerpt: “…the Vikings relied on their defense to intercept Aaron Rodgers three times in a 23-17 victory over the Jets in London.”
Average ranking: 2.00 (28 ranking points/14 rankings)
Spare thoughts: I’ll have some of what Florio is smoking. The special teams haven’t been great, I’ll grant him that — 25th as a unit in PFF score at 64.8 — but how is that even remotely a takeaway with how things are going, at large or recently? Weird dude.
What do you think? Join the conversation below (and recommend other power rankings to add if you wish)!