The sun has officially set on the 2025 NFL offseason, which can only mean one thing: regular-season football is here.

The latest NFL season is just about to peek above the horizon, as fans around the world will finally get to witness their favorite players, coaches and teams in action this weekend – this time with real results.

The 2024 Minnesota Vikings exceeded the expectations of preseason pundits, earning the second-most victories (14) in a season in franchise history, highlighted by a stretch of nine consecutive wins across the months of November and December.

J.J. McCarthy will begin his inaugural season as the Vikings starting quarterback after missing his rookie campaign in 2024 with a torn meniscus in his right knee that he suffered during the team's first preseason game.

Last year's Week 1 power rankings placed Minnesota in the 23-to-26 range. As the team opens its 2025 season with a Monday Night Football tilt at Chicago to wrap up Week 1, this year's spectrum from media members is more extensive but higher, including a couple of spots in the top 10.

Here's a look at where the Vikings landed heading into Week 1:

No. 12: Eric Edholm – NFL.com

The Vikings have a lot going for them, including a terrific coaching staff and a loaded lineup headlined by a truly elite receiver in Justin Jefferson. You could argue there really isn't a glaring hole on the roster, but that also comes with the assumption that J.J. McCarthy is ready to take ownership of the offense. The evidence is thin – we simply don't know what he's capable of – but the infrastructure is strong, and McCarthy brings intriguing qualities to the table. Yet there are potential cracks, too, starting with a wicked schedule and some depth issues thanks to injuries (and players with injury histories). Jordan Addison's three-game suspension hurts, too. If the Vikings start slowly, the division looks too packed to assume Minnesota can rally. The team's schedule doesn't allow for much wiggle room.

No. 15: Gary Davenport – Bleacher Report

The Minnesota Vikings are one of the NFL's more interesting teams ahead of the 2025 season.

Last year, they far outperformed expectations. With backup quarterback Sam Darnold under center, they won 14 games.

However, a miserable performance in the playoffs got Darnold the gate, and the Vikings now plan to turn the offense over to J.J. McCarthy.

Therein lies the problem: McCarthy's next NFL start will be his first. That's not all, though.

Wide receiver Jordan Addison is suspended for the first three games. Minnesota's pass defense was not good last year. And the NFC North is giving the AFC West a run for its money as the league's toughest division.

The Vikings need a hot start as badly as any team in the NFL. And with a manageable early slate, they may well get one.

No. 14: Pete Prisco – CBS Sports

It's all about J.J. McCarthy. Is he ready to lead this team to the postseason in his first year as a starting quarterback? [The Vikings] improved both lines, which was a must.

No. 15: Nate Davis – USA Today

[Minnesota's] forecast was tempered at best at this time a year ago. So discount the Vikes at your peril. It also would have been crazy to wonder a year ago if J.J. McCarthy could fill Darnold's shoes. Maybe the return of WR Adam Thielen, who will certainly ease the temporary absence of Jordan Addison, helps that cause.

No. 10: Josh Kendall – The Athletic

Justin Jefferson was slowed by a hamstring injury through parts of training camp but is expected to be ready for Week 1. That's about the end of the good news at wide receiver. Jordan Addison was suspended for the first three games, Rondale Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury and Jalen Nailor [suffered an injury during camp]. The Vikings answer was to re-acquire veteran Adam Thielen in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.

No. 12: Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated

O'Connell knows a few things, I'm sure: that Justin Jefferson is not aging in reverse. That [Defensive Coordinator] Brian Flores, his creative muse, will probably be a head coach again soon, and that Super Bowls LX and LXI are the target dates for making it all happen. That makes me feel good about McCarthy, too.

No. 16: Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News

The Vikings have a fun reunion at wide receiver with Adam Thielen back in the mix to help Justin Jefferson with Jordan Addison missing time. There should be little doubt J.J. McCarthy can thrive in this system with plenty of defensive help.

No. 7: Frank Schwab – Yahoo! Sports

Adam Thielen didn't come cheap in a trade, but the Vikings are doing everything they can to set up QB J.J. McCarthy for success. There's no reason McCarthy can't take advantage of a tremendous opportunity.

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