Thursday, September 14, 2023

Minnesota Vikings Week 2 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 2 roundup for the Minnesota Vikings in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 20

Best debut performance: WR Jordan Addison
Week 1 stats: 4 receptions for 61 yards, TD

The Vikings' No. 23 overall pick scored the first points of the season, a 39-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter to give the Vikings a 7-3 lead over the Buccaneers. More importantly, he capitalized on the kind of coverage the team typically faces. All-Pro Justin Jefferson was double-teamed on the play. Addison simply ran past a safety that also appeared to be keeping his eye on Jefferson, and hauled in a Kirk Cousins pass for one of the easier deep touchdown receptions you'll see. -- Kevin Seifert

NFL.com -- Rank: 17

For all the encouraging signs Brian Flores' undermanned defense showed against Tampa Bay, the Vikings still couldn't take the ball away or get a crucial stop late. In the end, three offensive turnovers cost them dearly. Perhaps it's a sign that this year's Minnesota squad won't have the same fortune as the 2022 edition, which thrived in close-game situations. Then again, the Vikings almost won a game in which they were minus-3 in turnovers; teams that were minus-3 or worse in regular-season games in 2022 went 1-37. This was not a great Week 1 showing, but I am not ready to write this team off, either. It's just that there are enough tough games upcoming that it's hard not to be somewhat uneasy.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 24

They turned it over three times in the loss to Tampa Bay, which isn't a good way to start the season. Now they head to Philadelphia to play the Eagles on a short week, which is a challenge.

USA Today -- Rank: 23

The law of averages can be cruel, most certainly for a team that so often evaded it in 2022.

The Athletic -- Rank: 22

We have to get Justin Jefferson to a coast. His talents are being wasted in the Midwest. Jefferson had nine catches for 150 yards Sunday and became the fastest player to 25 games of 100 or more receiving yards in a game along the way, but Minnesota left all of its one-score-game miracle dust in the 2022 regular season.

FOX -- Rank: 22

I'll go ahead and say it: Minnesota was the better team Sunday; they just didn't win. Obviously, that's not going to help them reach the playoffs, but I'm just saying it's too early to freak out. Clean up the turnovers and you win that game. No need to reinvent the wheel — although Thursday night in Philadelphia promises to provide a much bigger challenge.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 20

Last season, the Vikings had plenty of games in which they were outplayed but they ended up winning close. On Sunday they outplayed the Buccaneers for the most part, but fell short in a close game. When people talked about the Vikings regressing this season, that's what it looks like.

PFT -- Rank: 21

This could quickly go off the rails.

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