The Vikings (5-0) are the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL after a 31-13 victory over the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.
That could only mean good things for Minnesota's position in the weekly power rankings lists.
The Vikings have won eight regular-season games in a row dating back to last season. The team is on a bye this weekend and will return in Week 7 to take on the Eagles (3-1) in Philadelphia.
Let's see where the experts placed the Vikings on their power rankings lists heading into Week 6.
How do you keep the *Vikings out of the top spot? They're the only undefeated team left, have beaten three playoff participants from last season and are allowing the fewest points per game in the NFL. What makes this new No. 1 even more fun: This our fifth different [pole-sitter] of the young season. Minnesota smacked around the Texans on Sunday, giving Houston receivers little room to breathe while making Brock Osweiler look like a pedestrian quarterback. … The Texans went a combined 1-for-14 on third and fourth downs, while totaling 214 yards of offense. *
Vikings #1— NFL.com
Is there any doubt Mike Zimmer is the league's front-runner for Coach of the Year right now? He lost his starting quarterback before the season started, yet has the Vikings unbeaten heading into a bye thanks to a defense that is allowing the fewest points per game. The Vikings ranked last in PPG allowed in 2013, the season before Zimmer arrived in Minneapolis.
Vikings #1— **ESPN**
After five weeks only one team has a zero in the win column and the Minnesota Vikings haven't given a single reason for anyone to believe they aren't the best team in the NFL.
There's no Stefon Diggs and there's no Adrian Peterson, but the Vikings don't really need an offense that lights up the scoreboard the way the Atlanta Falcons have. With such a dominant defense, the offense can really cruise to victory by avoiding mistakes.
Through five games, Kyle Rudolph and the Vikings offense have [not committed a] turnover. The team's struggles to run the football could end up creating an issue at some point, but it's hard to imagine Minnesota going on a slide at any point in the year with a defense that's been so good.
Vikings #1— **SB Nation**
The Vikings are the best team in football, and not just because they're the lone undefeated squad remaining. They've overcome numerous devastating injuries only to completely dominate each and every week. They made the Texans defense look mediocre, even without Stefon Diggs. They'll remain No. 1 for another week, too, with a bye coming up.
Vikings #1— **FOX Sports**
Name one NFC team that's been more impressive through five weeks.
You can't. Mike Zimmer's club just shut down another "contender" with tough defense and big chunk plays on offense and special teams. The Vikings are the new Carolina Panthers or Seattle Seahawks.
Keep in mind: These Vikings were down a starting quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater), running back (Adrian Peterson) and receiver (Stefon Diggs). Their offensive play didn't drop off one bit. Sam Bradford is running this offense with such efficiency that the parts around him might not matter.
Meanwhile…that defense. Four sacks. Four tackles for loss. Thirteen quarterback hits. DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller were non-factors. Just an outstanding effort.
Looking ahead: Bradford has a week to finally absorb some of this playbook. Imagine what this offense could look like after.
Vikings #2—* ***Bleacher Report**
*With league's worst rushing attack and an alarmingly battered O-line, it's a good thing that defense is virtually impenetrable. *
Vikings #2— ***USA TODAY***
What impressed me most about Sam Bradford on Sunday was that he was without Stefon Diggs, and first-round pick Laquon Treadwell can't get on the field (12 offensive snaps in three games, inactive for two others). And he still made plays, to guys like Adam Thielen and Cordarrelle Patterson. We've never seen Bradford play anywhere near this well before.
Vikings #3— **Yahoo Sports**
*Winning without much offense speaks volumes about the defense. Mike Zimmer is the Coach of the Year right now. *
Vikings #1— **CBS Sports**
This defense is fully capable of doing what Denver's defense did last season and carrying the Vikings to a Super Bowl triumph. Minnesota's QB situation actually is better than the Broncos' was last season, with Sam Bradford having stabilized things. Minnesota is the clear NFC favorite at the moment, but it will be interesting to see who emerges from among the Seahawks, Falcons, Cowboys, Packers and Eagles to vie with the Vikings for conference supremacy.
Vikings #2— **Washington Post**
