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NFL Power Rankings: Vikings Firmly in Top 5 Territory

The Vikings (5-1) extended their win streak to four games after beating the Dolphins 24-16.

Experts unanimously moved Minnesota high up their lists as the team enters its bye week.

Here's a look at where the Vikings rank heading into Week 7:

No. 4 (up 3 spots): Dan Hanzus – NFL.com

Minnesota isn't anybody's idea of a juggernaut, but five wins in six games — picked off only by the undefeated Eagles — tells the story of a team that knows how to close. The Vikings did it again on Sunday in Miami, forcing a huge turnover as the Dolphins were marching toward the go-ahead score; then Dalvin Cook found a crease for the long touchdown run to ice the game. "It's very much the inverse of 2021," said Kirk Cousins. "I would walk off the field after a loss and say: 'Man, we're playing so well. We're playing so well!' Somehow, some way, we lost. This year, it's, 'Gosh, we can play better.' But we win. I'll take this any day."

View Vikings players in Big Head Mode during Sunday's victory over the Miami Dolphins.

No. 4 (up 4 spots): NFL Staff – Bleacher Report

For most of Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, the Minnesota Vikings did not look like a legitimate contender, especially on offense.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for just 175 yards against a Dolphins pass defense that has struggled much of 2022. Twelve of Dalvin Cook's 13 carries went for just 24 yards.

Of course, Cook's other carry was a 53-yard touchdown, and that late score cemented a 24-16 win that gave the Vikings a stranglehold on first place in the NFC North.

The Vikings aren't flawless — the team has been rather inconsistent on both sides of the ball, and the Vikings one loss was an ugly defeat at the hands of the undefeated Eagles.

But with the Packers struggling and the Bears and Lions candidates to make the playoffs only if the field is expanded to 28 teams, it's looking more and more like the Vikings could run away with the division.

No. 5 (up 3 spots): Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News

[Giants Head Coach Brian] Daboll's biggest competition [for Coach of the Year] may come from another offensive-minded rookie coach. Kevin O'Connell has unlocked the Vikings to become more explosive around Kirk Cousins with skill principals Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and Irv Smith, Jr. They are a strong threat to steal the NFC North from the Packers, whom they beat soundly in Week 1.

No. 3 (up 2 spots): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports

At 5-1, they lead the NFC North and have to be considered the favorite in the division now. They aren't always pretty, but they find ways to win games.

No. 4 (up 8 spots): Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated

This is mostly just in an effort to pacify their fan base, which has been subtweeting me since July for picking them to finish with a mediocre record and rolling their eyes when I say the Packers are better. So, enjoy your moment in the sun. No. 4 in the power rankings this week, a complete and total kiss of death. Just ask Cardinals fans from 2021, a fan base that aggravated me so much that I invited one of their fans to write the lead of my power rankings. I may not have the power to accurately predict things, but boy can I mush a team when I want to.

View Week 6 action photos from the Vikings-Dolphins game at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 16.

No. 6 (up 5 spots): Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk

At some point, winning games late isn't a fluke. It's a habit.

No. 5 (up 2 spots): Nate Davis – USA TODAY Sports

They're one of only four teams with five wins, flimsy as their record might feel. Winners of four straight, none by more than one score, Minnesota players best avoid getting big heads heading into their bye.

No. 5 (up 4 spots): Frank Schwab – Yahoo! Sports

The Vikings are perplexing. They're one of four teams with one or fewer losses in the NFL. Do you believe this is one of the four best teams in the NFL? I don't even know that Vikings fans would buy that. Sunday was a great example of Minnesota's season: The Vikings were outgained 458-234 against a Dolphins team starting a third-string rookie QB, who got hurt in the first half, but found a way to win. They haven't been close to dominant. But 28 teams would take a 5-1 record right now.

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