The Minnesota Vikings couldn't have asked for a better start to their game against Baltimore on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vikings defense brought the noise early, forcing three Ravens punts on their first four possessions. On the other side of the ball, J.J. McCarthy and Aaron Jones, Sr., teamed up to jump-start Minnesota's offense. After delivering touchdowns during the Vikings' first two drives at Detroit in Week 9, McCarthy led Minnesota 86 yards downfield on its opening possession, highlighted by a perfect 62-yard strike to Jalen Nailor to the Ravens 4-yard line.
A few moments later, Jones scored his first rushing touchdown of the season. The play provided the quintessential "cherry on top" to a special pregame moment for him: during the team introductions, the RB and Minnesota’s Salute to Service nominee for 2025 led the Vikings out of the tunnel with an American flag in hand – only to be surprised by his mother, Vurgess Jones, at the end of the run. Both Vurgess and her late husband, Alvin Jones, Sr., served a combined 56 years in the U.S. Army.
The rest of the afternoon didn't go Minnesota's way. Despite holding Baltimore (4-5) to just nine points at halftime and keeping the Ravens’ dynamic duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry relatively in check, the Vikings (4-5) had too many self-inflicted mistakes and fell 27-19.
In addition to losing the turnover battle 3-0, Minnesota committed 13 penalties for 102 yards on the day, including eight false starts. Per ESPN Research, the Vikings eight flags via a false start are tied for the second most by a home team in a game since at least 2000, joining the 2005 St. Louis Rams. The 13 overall penalties also tied a season-high set during Minnesota's lone home win of the season so far (Week 3 against Cincinnati). The Vikings have committed eight or fewer penalties in every other game this season.
Sunday's loss not only dropped Minnesota below the .500 mark, but it pushed the Vikings back in this week's Power Rankings. Here's a look at where Minnesota landed going into Week 11:
No. 20 (no change): Eric Edholm, NFL.com
It was another chaotic experience with J.J. McCarthy at QB, and this one didn't end as well as the rousing win at Detroit. McCarthy wasn't helped by the Vikings execution against the Ravens, with a shocking eight false start penalties and perhaps not Kevin O'Connell's finest game as a play-caller. Even still, McCarthy threw two picks, missed some key third-down throws and couldn't pull it out late in spite of a gutsy effort. Myles Price fumbling two straight kickoff returns (one lost) didn't help. The Vikings still have plenty of high-stakes games left to prove themselves, but they haven't logged back-to-back wins yet.
No. 18 (up 1 spot): Maurice Moton, Bleacher Report
Last week, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy took a step forward, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for one in a win over the Detroit Lions. In Week 10, he struggled, throwing for a touchdown and two interceptions.
The Vikings are going through the growing pains with their second-year signal-caller, who will see ups and downs in his first year as a starter.
Minnesota is a mediocre squad that may not finish above .500 in a tough division with rivals that have winning records.
No. 19 (no change): Nate Davis, USA Today
It's rather remarkable to commit eight false-start penalties … when you're the home team.
No. 20 (down 2 spots): Josh Kendall, The Athletic
In his ninth year, [linebacker Eric] Wilson has a career-high 3.5 sacks while leading the Vikings in tackles with 57. He's second on the team in tackles for loss and has two interceptions. Not bad for a veteran who has played for three teams since leaving the Vikings after his first stint with the team [from 2017-20].
No. 18 (down 1 spot): Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated
Kevin O'Connell had an interesting defense of J.J. McCarthy on the day following Minnesota's loss to Baltimore. On some of McCarthy's tipped balls, he had the correct read and a receiver who was wide open. Check those out for yourself.
No. 20 (down 2 spots): Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
The Vikings are in for more wild rides with J.J. McCarthy as the starter on offense. The second-year QB and the team should benefit from more playmaking support.
No. 18 (down 1 spot): Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports
It's great that Jalen Nailor had a breakout 124-yard game, but it's troubling that Justin Jefferson had just 37 yards on 12 targets. J.J. McCarthy can be a good quarterback, but he has to be able to get Jefferson the ball or it's not going to work.
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