NFL Power Rankings: How are Vikings Viewed Pre-Week 1?

Due to the unsustainable nature of last year's 13-4 record, the public is understandably expecting plenty of regression from the Vikings this season. But just how much? And are there any experts who believe the team can take strides in year two under Kevin O'Connell?

Let's check in on the national power rankings to see how various analysts view the Vikings heading into Week 1.

Conor Orr, SI.com: No. 20

Too low? While the Vikings were historically fortunate a year ago, they do have a lot of pillars working in their favor. Atop the organization sits Kevin O’Connell, who is the latest McVay coaching product to take charge of his own team and find somewhat immediate success. A Vikings fan could fairly argue that the team succeeded despite an underperforming defense and that, maybe, a more successful defense would negate situations where the Vikings are in one-score games to begin with. Their spot in our preseason poll underlines that uncertainty. The NFC North is going to be more competitive; we don’t know whether personnel lined up for a Vic Fangio–defensive system can translate immediately to a more Bill Belichick–aligned system, though, again, the Vikings have thrown a lot of effort into bolstering their secondary.

Bo Wulf, The Athletic: No. 17

Model rank:

T-15 (8.6 wins)

Best-case scenario:

What a difference a coordinator makes, as Brian Flores manufactures a borderline top-10 unit despite the offseason turnover. Marcus Davenport and Byron Murphy Jr. look like shrewd signings. On offense, Jordan Addison has almost as much early success as the last wide receiver drafted by the Vikings in the early 20s, and Alexander Mattison inspires an emergency Lin-Manuel Miranda self-parody musical. Another first-round playoff loss awaits, but by a closer margin this time.

Worst-case scenario:

The division passes them by but they remain too competitive to be in position to draft a franchise quarterback in the offseason, while Addison and the young players fail to make an impact.

Eric Edholm, NFL.com: No. 15

The Vikings won 13 games last season despite being outscored (-3 point differential). Going 11-0 in one-score games explains a lot of that, but it also raises the question of whether the Vikings — who parted with some key contributors this offseason and are quite young on defense — can repeat that effort in 2023. They should remain a fairly potent offense this season, but what new defensive coordinator Brian Flores can achieve with a heavily revamped unit could end up determining this team’s ceiling. Harrison Smith should make more plays up in the box, and there are some interesting front-seven defenders, but the cornerback position concerns me. It’s not hard to imagine a drop in wins, even if the defense improves.

Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: No. 18

T.J. Hockenson got a new extension, and the Vikings probably overpaid. He got a four-year, $68.5 million contract. Hockenson is good but he's been a tier below the truly elite tight ends. But Hockenson had leverage. The Vikings acquired him (and some mid-round picks) last season in a trade for a second- and third-round pick. Minnesota wasn't going to let Hockenson walk after giving that up. Also, Hockenson was reportedly staging a "hold in," not practicing due to back issues and an ear infection that everyone knew were probably related to the contract. That's how you end up with a contract that resets the market at your position.

Bleacher Report Staff: No. 17

A coaching upgrade is great, but it doesn't remedy Minnesota's personnel problems on the (defensive) side of the ball. The switch from Za'Darius Smith to Marcus Davenport on the edge opposite Danielle Hunter was a downgrade. The inside linebacker spot opposite Jordan Hicks is a question mark. And the NFC's worst pass defense from a year ago doesn't appear markedly better. The Vikings aren't going to have any problem scoring points in 2023. The question is whether they will have any success stopping opponents from doing the same.

Mike Clay, ESPN: No. 17

Minnesota's offense has been one of the league's best during the Kirk Cousins era — the O-line is sneaky good — but major concern areas on defense (especially in the secondary) could prove problematic.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: No. 21

They won a lot of close games last season to make the playoffs, but I don't think they can count on that this time around. I do think Brian Flores is a good hire to run the defense.

Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk: No. 18

The defense can’t get much worse. How much better can it be?

David Helman, FOX Sports: No. 15

I'm curious to see what Brian Flores can do in his first season as Vikings defensive coordinator. Even with Dalvin Cook off to New York, I'm not worried about the offensive production — especially with Jordan Addison joining the fold. Defensively, though, the Vikings are asking a lot of a bunch of unproven players. If Flores can coach better production out of this group, the Vikings are a sleeper.

Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network: No. 20

On the opposite end of that spectrum, we have the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota’s pass rush boasts Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport, but the secondary is a massive question mark heading into the season. The offense should be relatively productive with Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and continuity on the offensive line. But this is a team that won 13 games last year with a negative point differential. Regression is barreling down on them like a train, and they’re duct taped to the tracks.

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