The Vikings are now 2-2-1 and getting set to return to U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Minnesota defeated the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles 23-21 on Sunday.
Experts from across the internet updated their power rankings, heading into the Vikings Week 6 matchup.
Rank: 9
Last Week's Rank: 13 – **NFL.com, Elliot Harrison**
Kirk Cousins is playing out of his freakin' mind, man. No matter the pressure — including a whole bunch right in his grill — Cousins (30 for 37, 301 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT) delivered the ball on time and on point Sunday in Philadelphia. Along with the Vikings' pass rush, he was the difference between Minnesota falling into season-on-the-brink territory and getting right back in the mix at 2-2-1. The Vikes are now a game-and-a-half behind Chicago in the NFC North, with a Cardinals home game followed by a roadie against the Jets. Both winnable games. Then again, so was Buffalo. Too soon?
Rank: 11
Last Week's Rank: 13 – ** ESPN.com**
Rest-of-season SOS ranking: 26th. The Vikings will travel to New England in Week 13 for their toughest remaining game, in which they have a 30 percent chance to win, according to FPI. This is part of a four-game stretch in which the Vikings face their toughest tests of the season. Minnesota has a 45 percent chance to beat Chicago in Week 11, a 57 percent chance to win against Green Bay in Week 12 and a 41 percent chance to beat Seattle in Week 14. – Matt Williams
Rank: 6
Last Week's Rank: 13 – **YAHOO! Sports, Frank Schwab**
Kirk Cousins' numbers through five games: 1,688 yards, 11 touchdowns, two interceptions, a 71.2 completion percentage and a 105.1 rating. He's off to a heck of a good start and looks like a fantastic free-agent signing.
Rank: 11
Last Week's Rank: 17 – **Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk**
How far can a team with no running game go?
Rank: 8
Last Week's Rank: 8 - **Bleacher Report Staff**
After falling on the road to the Los Angeles Rams a week ago, the Minnesota Vikings entered Week 5 facing a tall task: travel to Philly for a rematch of last year's NFC Championship beatdown staring at the possibility of a 1-3-1 start.
It was gut-check time. And when the bell rang, Minnesota answered. Despite having no ground game to speak of, the Vikings rode Kirk Cousins' right arm and a record-setting performance from Adam Thielen to one of Week 5's most important victories.
It wasn't flawless by any stretch. The Vikings led 20-6 late but had to hold on to get the W. Though it was tough, the important thing is that the Vikings did hold on, and after a brutal stretch to open the season, they get a couple of tomato cans before hosting the Saints in a few weeks.
Of course, the last time the Vikings played a tomato can, the Bills beat the snot out of them.
But for now at least, Minnesota appears to be back on track.
"We may have declared them dead too early," Brad Gagnon wrote. "They hung with the NFL's best team on the road in Week 4 before dominating the defending champions on the road in Week 5. Kirk Cousins has been somewhat quietly fantastic, and the Vikings are on track to make another run."
Rank: 9
Last Week's Rank: 13 – **Sporting News, Vinnie Iyer**
The Vikings defense needed that get-well game in Philadelphia, and embracing their identity with Kirk Cousins as a quick, high-volume passing game is smart.
Rank: 12
Last Week's Rank: 17 – **Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports**
Clear solution to trigger league's second-worst run game is giving 329-pound Linval Joseph, who averages 64 yards per "carry," some work.
Rank: 7
Last Week's Rank: 10 – **Sports Illustrated, MMQB Staff**
It didn't exactly avenge the NFC Championship Game loss, but the win in Philly did halt a two-game skid and keep the Vikings firmly in the thick of the NFC's crowded playoff picture.
