The Vikings started out the 2018 season on a high note.
Minnesota opened up the season with a 24-16 victory over San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Experts from across the internet updated their power rankings, heading into a Week 2 matchup at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.
Rank: 3
Last Week's Rank: 4 - **Elliot Harrison, NFL.com**
Impressive Vikings debut for Kirk Cousins, even if everything didn't go perfectly for the home-town purple. What had to look picture-perfect for the SKOL faithful: the young buck taking Jimmy G to the house. If Mike Hughes turns out to be a player, look out. Pair him with Xavier Rhodes, Harrison Smith, Andrew Sendejo and George Iloka, and well, holy crap ... what a group that is.
Rank: 3
Last Week's Rank: 4 – **Vincent Johnson ESPN.com**
The Vikings gave Kirk Cousins the keys to the franchise (and $84 million guaranteed) in the offseason and saw some initial return on investment in a win against the 49ers. Cousins passed for two TDs and got a healthy Dalvin Cook heavily involved in the passing game with a career-high seven targets.
Rank: 1
Last Week's Rank: 1 – **Yahoo Sports, Frank Schwab**
The offensive line, which is the Vikings' only glaring weakness, wasn't great in Week 1, allowing three sacks and not opening up much for the run game. But it was good enough. Especially if the defense keeps showing up like it did on Sunday.
Rank: 1
Last Week's Rank: 1 - **Bleacher Report Staff**
Week 1 Result: Won 24-16 vs. San Francisco
Taking care of business was the Minnesota Vikings' mantra in Week 1, as the No. 1 team in the Bleacher Report Power Rankings entering the season downed the San Francisco 49ers in workmanlike fashion.
It wasn't a flawless effort, but it was a solid one. Kirk Cousins passed for 244 yards and two scores in his Vikings debut. Second-year tailback Dalvin Cook amassed 95 total yards. Top receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen produced a combined stat line of 9/145/1.
One of the NFL's best defenses got in on the act too. The 49ers gained nearly as many yards as Minnesota, but the Vikings forced four turnovers, sacked Jimmy Garoppolo three times and took an interception back for a touchdown.
The Niners were able to get within one score late, but this was a game that didn't feel as close as the final score. The Vikings were in control on both sides of the ball for most of the afternoon.
Minnesota looked the part of the Super Bowl favorite many have labeled them this year.
Rank: 4
Last Week's Rank: 4 – **Washington Post, Mark Maske**
It's so far, so good for QB Kirk Cousins with his new team. Cousins was sharp and efficient in his Vikings debut, a 24-16 win over the 49ers. But things get much more serious with this coming weekend's early divisional showdown with the Packers at Lambeau Field.
Rank: 5
Last Week's Rank: 6 – **CBS Sports, Pete Prisco**
The Kirk Cousins era got off to a good start, but now comes a tough road game against the Packers.
Rank: 1
Last Week's Rank: 2 – **Sporting News, Vinnie Iyer**
Kirk Cousins' debut was a success, as he allowed to the team to better facilitate its running game and defense. Sheldon Richardson also made a big impact, making the NFC runners-up the new NFC favorites.
Rank: 1
Last Week's Rank: 2- **SB Nation, Rebecca Toback**
Rank: 4
Last Week's Rank: 7 – **Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports**
Defense appeared as rugged as ever. But watch that suspect O-line, which allowed three sacks and was part of run game averaging 3.6 ypc.
Rank: 8
Last Week's Rank: 9 – **Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk**
The Vikings still need to figure out how to deliver a knockout blow.
