The Vikings are on to Week 3 of the 2019 season.
Minnesota lost to the Green Bay Packers 21-16 on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
The Vikings will look to get back on track at home against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The experts released their Power Rankings lists heading into Week 3.
Here's a look at where the Vikings rank:
10 (Down 3 Spots): Dan Hanzus – NFL.com
What a frustrating Sunday for the Vikings, who fell in a 21-0 hole, then took control of the game, but could not figure out a way to get over the hump against the Packers. Much of the failure falls at the feet of Kirk Cousins, the pricey quarterback who was brought in to be a steadying presence in tense divisional showdowns like this. At Lambeau Field, Cousins buckled. His worst moment came with 5:17 to play in the fourth quarter, when he was intercepted on a first-and-goal lob into double coverage. It was a terrible decision, and Minnesota never threatened again. It should be noted that the Vikings were on the wrong end of three questionable offensive pass interference calls, including a penalty buzzed down from upstairs that negated a Stefon Diggs TD. Mike Zimmer won't sleep 'til Thursday.
11 (Down 2 Sports): Frank Schwab – Yahoo Sports
That Kirk Cousins interception, on first-and-goal with Minnesota trailing 21-16 in the fourth quarter, was awful. The Vikings, aside from the first quarter on Sunday at Green Bay, have played very well. But they're not going anywhere if Cousins can't elevate his game.
12 (Down 4 Spots): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports
If Kirk Cousins doesn't pick up his play in the big games they won't even be a playoff team. They have to get more from the passing game.
14 (Down 2 Spots): NFL Staff – Bleacher Report
High: 12
Low: 16
Last Week: 12
Week 2 Result: Lost at Green Bay 21-16
In Week 1, the Vikings rode their run game to a decisive win over the Atlanta Falcons. Tailback Dalvin Cook was great again against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, piling up over 150 yards on the ground.
But the Vikings came up short after falling into a 21-0 hole early — largely because the team's $28 million quarterback attempted 32 passes.
For lack of a better word, Kirk Cousins was awful against the Packers. Of those 32 pass attempts, just 14 were completed for 230 yards.
OK, 16 if you count the two interceptions — one of which was an absolute back-breaker late and a ball that should never, ever have been thrown.
Cousins' passer rating for the game was 52.9.
10 (Down 3 Spots): MMQB Staff – Sports Illustrated
Previous rank: 7
Points in poll: 245
Highest-place vote: 6 (1 voter)
Lowest-place vote: 16 (1 voter)
Last week's result: Lost to Green Bay, 21-16
This week: vs. Oakland
Kirk Cousins' performance against the Packers, including that brain-cramp pick in the end zone late, may hint at why Mike Zimmer wants to run the ball.
9 (Down 2 Spots): Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News
Dalvin Cook and the defense form the foundation of their success, much to the delight of Mike Zimmer. But they'll need Kirk Cousins to come up bigger in big games to be a factor in the NFC.
7 (Down 4 Spots): Nate Davis – USA TODAY Sports
In case you were wondering why Mike Zimmer prefers QB Kirk Cousins only throw the ball about 10 times per contest ...
11 (Down 2 Spots) Courtney Cronin -– ESPN.com
Pleasant surprise: Despite vastly different game situations, Dalvin Cook has consistently churned out high production on offense, averaging 5.2 yards per touch (23 touches on 36 snaps) vs. Atlanta and 8.3 yards per touch (23 touches on 47 snaps) vs. Green Bay. Cook has revitalized the Vikings' run game at a time when the offense needs it most. Maintaining that output throughout the season is possible and will carry this team if quarterback Kirk Cousins struggles like he did against the Packers. But doing so will require Cook to stay healthy and the Vikings to take the necessary precautions to not place too much stress on him.
10 (Down 2 Spots) Mike Florio -– Pro Football Talk
The defense is good enough. The running game is good enough. The receivers are good enough. The offensive line is good enough. The special teams are good enough. The coaching is good enough.
