What a difference a year makes.

Exactly 365 days ago, the Vikings defeated Carolina 21-13, earning their first victory of the 2023 season after opening that campaign with three consecutive one-score losses in September.

Today, Minnesota enters the month of October with a 4-0 record, closing September with a 31-29 nail-biting victory Sunday over the Green Bay Packers (2-2). The Vikings built a 28-point lead in the first half before Green Bay's furious fourth-quarter rally made it a tight contest.

Getting out to a quick start has been a key factor for Minnesota this season. In their first four games, the Vikings have scored 38 points in the opening quarters, the second-highest total in the NFL behind New Orleans (41 points).

Defensively, Minnesota has allowed the fewest points in the league in first quarters, surrendering just a field goal in Week 1 at the Giants. The three points allowed are the fewest in the opening 15 minutes by a Vikings defense through four weeks since 2015, which was also three points.

That first-quarter field goal by the Giants in Week 1 is the only time Minnesota has trailed all season, just a mere 3:26 out of 240 total minutes of football played.

Last season, the Vikings were outscored 20-0 in first quarters through their first four games. This year has been a completely different story so far.

With the Bills, Seahawks and Steelers all suffering their first losses of the season this past week, Minnesota and Kansas City (4-0) are the only two unbeaten teams left in the NFL. The Vikings first division win of the season moved them up in this week's Power Rankings, with the biggest jump being three spots and the team garnering their first appearance at No. 1 overall.

Here's a look at where the Vikings rank going into Week 5:

No. 1 (up 1 spot): Eric Edholm, NFL.com

It wasn't quite the Georgia-Alabama thriller on Saturday night, but the Vikings had to sweat out a win at Lambeau Field that they completely dominated for the first 29 minutes. The muffed punt late in the second quarter opened the floodgates, and the defense took some lumps in the fourth quarter, but Brian Flores' unit responded with two late turnovers to help stop the bleeding a bit. The Vikings couldn't have put this one away without [Head Coach] Kevin O'Connell trusting his quarterback and going back on the attack late, trusting Sam Darnold to take them home. Even with a few hiccups, he did just that on an important field-goal drive that ultimately provided the winning margin. Past Vikings outfits might have coughed this one up, but this team showed toughness and reinforced the idea that it's going to be a handful all season the way things are going.

No. 2 (up 1 spot): NFL Staff, Bleacher Report

What the Sam Darnold is going on?

After surviving a frenetic comeback attempt by the Packers in Week 3, the Minnesota Vikings aren't just undefeated. For long stretches, the Vikes have looked like the most dominant team in the NFL. One week after blowing out the Houston Texans, the Vikings roared out to a 28-7 lead at Lambeau Field.

Darnold continues to play the best football of his career, throwing for 275 yards and three scores against the Pack. Wide receiver Jordan Addison found the end zone in his first game action since the opener. Minnesota's defense was gashed for 465 yards, but the Vikings also forced four Packers turnovers.

After the win, cornerback Byron Murphy, Jr., told reporters that the Vikes are feeding off all the eyebrows raised by the team's early success.

"I know what we have in this room is special," Murphy said. "So, all that outside noise, I keep saying, 'Stay off the (band)wagon. Don't try to jump on it now. You all can stay over there, whatever you all do, but we're going to keep this thing going.' "

"[Bleacher Report NFL analyst Kristopher] Knox said: "For perhaps the first time this season, Minnesota's defense did appear vulnerable during the second half of Sunday's game. Elite teams close out these types of games, though, and Minnesota deserves to be in the NFL's upper echelon."

No. 2 (up 1 spot): Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

[The Vikings] are rolling on both sides of the ball. They dominated the Packers Sunday for most of the game before letting them back in late. They will be challenged by the Jets this week in London.

No. 2 (up 1 spot): Nate Davis, USA Today

This feels precarious for different reasons given the Vikes unexpected ascent. But their 4-0 mark is no fluke, nor are the MVP credentials – seriously – of QB Sam Darnold, now the first player in the league's broad history to win his first four games with a team while throwing multiple touchdown passes in each. Next, they'll play in their first nationally televised window – Sunday morning on London's international stage.

No. 1 (up 3 spots): Josh Kendall, The Athletic

The Vikings are having the NFL's most surprising season without much help from their rookie class. First-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy was lost to a knee injury in the preseason, opening the way for Sam Darnold, who leads the league with 11 touchdown passes and has thrown only three interceptions.

No. 3 (up 2 spots): Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated

Attrition is good and the Vikings felt what it was like for a team to get a bead on them and come storming back in the second half against Green Bay. And still, they managed to hang on. This weekend's matchup in London against a truly and undeniably desperate Jets team will be one to watch. Does Minnesota finally get caught sleeping? You can read more thoughts on the Vikings here, where I write about the idea that Minnesota should extend Sam Darnold. Odd timing given the opponent, no?

No. 2 (up 2 spots): Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

Sam Darnold has maximized the offensive pop with Justin Jefferson and the rest of the receivers. The defense continues to dictate terms with big plays, sacks and takeaways. Kevin O'Connell easily has the best team in the NFC so far.

No. 2 (up 2 spots): Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports

The Vikings should have some worry about their fourth quarters. Focus through 60 minutes is a skill, and almost blowing that game to the Packers wasn't great. But overall, the Vikings couldn't have asked for a better start to the season.

Check out the Vikings 2024 Schedule.