The Vikings are now 1-2-1 entering Week 5 of the 2018 NFL season.
Minnesota has a few extra days to prepare for the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday after playing on Thursday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.
The Vikings will look for revenge at Lincoln Financial Field, the place where their 2017 season ended in the NFC Championship.
Experts from across the internet updated their power rankings, heading into this matchup of defending division champs.
Rank: 13
Last Week's Rank: 9 – **NFL.com, Elliot Harrison**
Of all the aspects of the Vikings' 1-2-1 record — from missed kicks to Dalvin Cook's hobbled start or even the unfortunate Everson Griffen situation — one of the oddest factors might be the regression of Mike Zimmer's defense. It's startling, given the talent and depth on that side of the ball. Minnesota has allowed 110 points already this season. It took seven games for the Vikes to surrender that many last year. Wow.
Rank: 13
Last Week's Rank: 9 – **ESPN.com**
Rookie snaps leader: DB Mike Hughes, 162 snaps out of 249 (65.1 percent). He is one of four players this season with a forced fumble, an interception and a defensive TD. The others are Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree and Antone Exum. – Vince Masi
Rank: 13
Last Week's Rank: 8 – **YAHOO! Sports, Frank Schwab**
The Vikings will get things turned around. Kirk Cousins has been very good (again, let's dump the whole "quarterback record" thing; it's a team sport) and the defense didn't forget how to play football. But they also can't afford to wait, especially since it doesn't seem the Bears are going anywhere.
Rank: 8
Last Week's Rank: 5 - **Bleacher Report Staff**
Had you said a month ago that September would end with the Vikings in third place in the NFC North, you would have been laughed at.
But here we are.
The first month of the season wasn't supposed to be like this for the Vikes. They were tabbed as a leading Super Bowl contender by many and as the No. 1 team in the NFL heading into Week 1 by this very panel.
Instead, the Vikings are coming off two straight losses after falling by a touchdown on Thursday Night Football. The Vikings have one victory in their first four games: a Week 1 win over the reeling San Francisco 49ers.
Since then, it's been a tie with the Packers and then losses to Buffalo and the Rams. Davenport isn't ready to push the purple panic button yet, but he isn't that far off:
"There's no shame in losing on the road to this Rams team, but allowing over 550 yards of offense is worrisome no matter the opponent. Combined with Minny's Week 3 faceplant against the Bills, the Vikings are digging a hole that won't be easy to get out of—especially with the defending champs up next on the road. The Vikings are still a good football team, but they had better get squared away PDQ or a season that was supposed to be filled with promise could get away from them."
Rank: 13
Last Week's Rank: 12 – **Sporting News, Vinnie Iyer**
Kirk Cousins is trying to prop them up in a one-dimensional offense while under heavy pressure to produce. The high expectations need to be curbed.
Rank: 17
Last Week's Rank: 19 – **Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports**
Lot of issues, including defense's apparent ongoing deterioration. But it would help if RBs had more than 17 total carries past two weeks.
Rank: 10
Last Week's Rank: 6 – **Sports Illustrated, MMQB Staff**
The Vikings ran into a buzzsaw Thursday night in L.A. but at least they got a few extra days before having to return to the scene of last year's NFC Championship Game embarrassment.
