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NFL Power Rankings: Vikings Hover Around Top 10

The Vikings followed up an impressive Week 1 victory with a Monday Night Football loss at Philadelphia.

Depsite the outcome, several outlets kept Minnesota's position steady leading into a divisional matchup against Detroit.

Here's a look at where the Vikings rank heading into Week 3:

No. 11 (down 4 spots): Dan Hanzus – NFL.com

Eight days after an impressive season-opening win over the Packers, the Vikings went to Philadelphia and got humbled by an Eagles team that was superior in every facet of the game. Minnesota's defensive game plan almost seemed tailored to make Jalen Hurts as comfortable as possible, while Kirk Cousins labored through yet another disastrous prime-time performance. Cousins was pressured constantly and routinely threw the ball up for grabs, resulting in three interceptions. Even Justin Jefferson had a rough night: The prodigious young wideout was held to just 48 yards and was largely erased when covered by Darius Slay, who had two picks while in Jefferson's orbit. An ugly night all around.

No. 8 (down 1 spots): NFL Staff – Bleacher Report

It's an act that has become all too familiar with the Cousins-led Vikings. They beat up on bad teams. Occasionally peel off a big win against a good team, ala Minnesota's big Week 1 win against the rival Packers. But just when you start buying into the Vikings, they lay an egg.

Minnesota will probably rebound this week against the Lions because that's what it does. The Vikings don't play another 2021 playoff team until a home date with the Cardinals on October 30.

But the confidence level in these Vikings got a lot shakier in Week 2.

No. 9 (down 2 spots): Vinnie Iyer – Sporting News

The Vikings are matching Miami's McDaniel hire early with Kevin O'Connell in the way he's scheming up Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook. The new-look defense with healthier personnel is the reason why they can keep pushing the Packers, whom they already beat, in the NFC North race.

No. 11 (down 4 spots): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports

They didn't do anything on offense against the Eagles. Then again, it was a Monday night. We know how Kirk Cousins plays on Monday night.

View photos from the Vikings-Eagles Monday Night Football game on Sept. 19 at Lincoln Financial Field.

No. 15 (down 2 spots): Conor Orr – Sports Illustrated

Kirk Cousins & Co. were stunned by a suddenly blitz-happy Eagles defense and a stellar coverage performance against Justin Jefferson. Was this the norm, or just a good learning experience for rookie coach Kevin O'Connell?

No. 23 (down 5 spots): Mike Florio – Pro Football Talk

Changing coaches fails to make Kirk Cousins better in prime time.

View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of Jan. 14, 2023.

No. 9 (no change): Nate Davis – USA TODAY Sports

It's not all bad, Minnesota fans. QB Kirk Cousins only has one more scheduled prime-time game in 2022 and won't see Philly CB Darius Slay any time soon.

No. 11 (no change): Frank Schwab – Yahoo! Sports

Kirk Cousins was pressing and looked awful in Monday night's loss to Philadelphia. We've seen that before from him. It's not a reason to give up on the Vikings being good this season. The Eagles might just be that much better.

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