The wait is nearly over.

The 2024 NFL season officially kicks off in just a couple of days. And all throughout this week, the feeling of putting on the jersey of your favorite player and the smell of chicken wings, brats, burgers and other delicious foods might put you in a state of football nirvana.

Although the Minnesota Vikings rebounded from a 1-4 start to 2023 with five consecutive victories, Minnesota couldn't keep the momentum going and finished with a 7-10 record. The Vikings will have some new faces this year at various positions in all three phases and aim to get back to their winning ways in Kevin O'Connell's third season at the helm.

Last year's Week 1 power rankings placed the Vikings in the 15-to-21 range. This year's spectrum from media members is tighter but lower as Minnesota opens its 2024 campaign Sunday at the New York Giants.

Here's a look at where the Vikings landed heading into Week 1:

No. 23: Eric Edholm – NFL.com

Since we last met, J.J. McCarthy began making a run at the starting job and ... you know what happened after that. It was an extremely disappointing development for a first-round QB who started his offseason very slowly but looked to be coming on strong in the preseason. That's not to say that Sam Darnold can't thrive in an offense with Justin Jefferson, a good offensive line and several other playmakers. Perhaps Darnold has his first real chance to thrive in the NFL, given the personnel, and the defense has enough pieces to make incremental gains over last year. But the schedule is no joke, especially in the NFC North, where the other three teams might be serious playoff contenders. I don't think the Vikings aren't a playoff contender suddenly, and Kevin O'Connell showed me he could coach amid a QB mess a year ago — with eight of their 10 losses coming by a total of 31 points — but I think they're still a year away.

No. 25: NFL Staff – Bleacher Report

The Minnesota Vikings are in an unenviable position entering the 2024 season — trying to talk themselves into believing that Sam Darnold can be a viable starting quarterback all year long.

It's not like they have much choice with rookie J.J. McCarthy out for the year with a torn meniscus — Darnold is "the guy" in the Twin Cities. Still, there are those like renowned quarterbacks coach Jordan Palmer who believe Darnold could surprise his naysayers this year.

"I am really excited to see Sam Darnold, finally in a good situation," Palmer said on The Rich Eisen Show. "Stats are stats, numbers are numbers, but I think it's hard to argue, he's been in tough spot after tough spot after tough spot, impossible to succeed type spots. I think that context last year, now entering a new locker room, Kevin O'Connell, some great pieces obviously in that huddle with him and some coaches who have won. I am just excited to see him in that situation, and expectations are really high."

Darnold does have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to throw to. And Minnesota's offensive line is ranked as a top-10 unit in some circles. But the Vikings have as many questions as answers on a defense that was terrible against the pass last year, and [Bleacher Report NFL Analyst Brent] Sobleski just isn't buying that Darnold will turn things around.

"Kevin O'Connell is an excellent offensive mind. But no one is going into the 2024 season with the belief that Sam Darnold will resurrect his career, remind everyone why he was the third overall pick in the '18 draft and lead the Vikings past the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and possibly even the Chicago Bears in the NFC North," Sobleski said. "J.J. McCarthy's unfortunate, season-ending torn meniscus in his right knee placed a damper on the upcoming season. The Vikings may have a franchise quarterback on the roster, but fans won't get to see him until next year.

"Otherwise, Minnesota can be competitive when considering the other talent found on the roster (Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Harrison Smith, etc.)," Sobleski added. "Still, it may not be enough if the quarterback play isn't up to par."

No. 25: Pete Prisco – CBS Sports

Can [the Vikings] resurrect Sam Darnold's career? Even if they do, they are still the fourth team in the division.

No. 24: Nate Davis – USA Today

Finding a positive spin to rookie J.J. McCarthy's season-ending knee injury isn't easy. But quarterback certainty, the arrival of CB Stephon Gilmore and a near lack of expectations could make the Vikes far more dangerous than they're being given credit for.

No. 23: Josh Kendall, The Athletic

J.J. McCarthy, meet Kirk Cousins, meet Sam Bradford, meet Teddy Bridgewater. Since 2016, the Vikings have had the worst quarterback injury luck in the league. McCarthy, the 10^th pick in April's draft, suffered a season-ending meniscus injury in the preseason opener. Now, Minnesota turns to Sam Darnold, the No. 3 pick in the 2018 draft who has a 21-35 career record as a starter.

No. 23: Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated

Who is here for a really good Sam Darnold season? I think Darnold entered the league as a flawed player, was hurled to the wolves despite a well-meaning coach who tried to protect him and ended up bouncing around. Is this his Baker Mayfield glow-up campaign? I have the Vikings finishing 7–10 this year, but it won't be a season doomed by the offense. It's always uncomfortable when a franchise has some of the right pieces in place but not others. There seems like a clear disconnect between what Kevin O'Connell wants and what he's getting, though for now he's making chicken salad out of the ingredients (I happen to like chicken salad).

No. 25: Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

The Vikings are diving into a big offensive transition knowing they won't get a long look at rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy this season. Kevin O'Connell is bound to take lumps with Sam Darnold bridging, putting too much on Brian Flores' defense.

No. 26: Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports

J.J. McCarthy being out for the season isn't good in any way, but now the Vikings can take a long look at Sam Darnold without worrying about when to start McCarthy. For Darnold, it's now or never on proving he can be a long-term NFL starter.