As sample sizes grow, changes in power rankings become increasingly minimal.
Minnesota's last-minute comeback against Detroit led to slight optimism from most outlets.
Here's a look at where the Vikings rank heading into Week 4:
No. 9 (up 2 spots): Dan Hanzus – NFL.com
Kirk Cousins and the Vikings looked outclassed against the Eagles in the second game of Week 2's Monday doubleheader. Early on against the Lions on Sunday, it looked like more of the same. But Minnesota and its QB showed resolve, digging out of 14-0 and 24-14 holes to beat an NFC North rival and get things back on track after that humbling prime-time loss. The hero was K.J. Osborn, who zipped through the Detroit defense almost unnoticed for the go-ahead 28-yard touchdown with 45 seconds to play. Osborn has found his niche in this offense — since the start of last season, no Vikings receiver has more catches in two-minute situations than the 2020 fifth-round pick.
No. 9 (down 1 spot): NFL Staff – Bleacher Report
The Minnesota Vikings are becoming quite the thrill ride.
In Week 1, they handled the Green Bay Packers with relative ease. In Week 2, the Philadelphia Eagles handled them with ease. And in Week 3, the Vikings opted for a bit of both.
Next up comes a trip to London to face the New Orleans Saints, followed by a home date with the Bears. Those games should allow the Vikings to build some positive momentum ahead of an Oct. 16 litmus test in Miami against the undefeated Dolphins.
"Are the Vikings actually good? It's hard to tell," Brent Sobleski said. "They deserve credit for solid victories over the Packers in Week 1 and the Lions on Sunday. They're off to a 2-0 start in the division. Yet the Eagles throttled them when the two teams met in Week 2. The Vikings 2-1 start appears to be more of a reflection of their competition than an actual indication of Minnesota's level of play.
No. 10 (down 1 spot): Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News
The Vikings have been a bit all over the place with their offensive identity with Kevin O'Connell with Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson cooling down after Week 1 and giving way more to the rushing attack. The 3-4 defense also will be a roller coaster. But they should take their start to the season as a positive with a pair of divisional wins now under their belts.
No. 11 (no change): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports
They looked lifeless early against the Lions, but they came alive late to win it to get to 2-1. The offense still isn't clicking like it will be.
No. 9 (up 6 spots): Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated
The Vikings haven't been this flexible and aggressive offensively since Brett Favre was under center. There were moments when the Lions had an 89 and 93% chance, respectively, of winning that game and Kevin O'Connell dialed them back both times.
No. 16 (up 7 spots): Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk
It was a Week 2 performance but, somehow, a Week 1 result.
No. 7 (up 2 spots): Nate Davis – USA TODAY Sports
So that talk of a 2,000-yard receiving season for WR Justin Jefferson? Clearly just a bit premature. Limited to 62 yards the past two games, he'll have to average 126 per the rest of the way in order to achieve his stated goal.
No. 9 (up 2 spots): Frank Schwab – Yahoo! Sports
We're back on the Dalvin Cook shoulder injury roller coaster, earlier than ever this season. Not great. They'll be fine at running back with Alexander Mattison. What is concerning is how Justin Jefferson has 62 yards in two games. He had just 14 yards on three catches Sunday. That should never happen.
