Vikings Surge in NFL Power Rankings After 2-0 Start, Defense Stuns League

As the NFL season charges into Week 3 on this September 24, 2026, the Minnesota Vikings have flipped the script on the NFC North. After dismantling the rival Green Bay Packers 39-22 at U.S. Bank Stadium and handling the Chicago Bears earlier, the Vikings sit at a commanding 2-0. But despite these victories, some national power rankings still hesitate to fully buy in—a slight that hasn't gone unnoticed in Minneapolis. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the Vikings are steadily climbing consensus boards, but the disrespect lingers like a Minnesota winter chill.

Consensus Rankings: A Team on the Rise

Across eleven major outlets, Minnesota averages an 11.27 ranking, with a high of 8th (Sports Illustrated) and a low of 15th (NFL.com, Pro Football Focus). That's a significant leap from last week, when they hovered in the mid-to-high teens. NFL.com praised the defense:

“As the saying goes, defense wins championships. And until a team solves Flores’ scheme, Minnesota will command respect on a weekly basis.”

The Athletic noted the emergence of rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks and fifth-round fullback Max Bredeson, while ESPN highlighted that the Vikings' defense and special teams both rank No. 6 in EPA. The lone constant? Brian Flores' defensive wizardry, which has opposing offenses gasping for air.

Defensive Dominance and Rising Stars

The Vikings' defense has been nothing short of suffocating. Led by coordinator Brian Flores, who is blitzing at a staggering rate north of 70%, Minnesota has baffled quarterbacks and coordinators alike. Sports Illustrated marveled at Flores' precision:

“Rewatch the end of that Bears game and notice how he has the Vikings’ best pass rusher on the Bears’ most vulnerable pass blocker and how consistent he can attain these matchups through honed chaos.”

Former first-round pick Dallas Turner is finally living up to his draft billing, racking up 11 quarterback hits and three sacks in just two games. As Yahoo! Sports put it, Turner “seems to be having a breakout in his third season.” The Vikings' defense forced two takeaways and sacked Bears quarterbacks four times, including a crucial fourth-down stop to seal the game.

Quarterback Quandary: Wentz vs. Murray

With Kyler Murray sidelined, Carson Wentz has stepped in and managed games effectively, but the looming question is whether Minnesota should hand the reins back to Murray when healthy. CBS Sports' Pete Prisco wrote,

“That was a heck of a comeback against the Packers. The defense led the way. With Kyler Murray down, it’s Carson Wentz time now.”

However, USA Today's Nate Davis raised a compelling counterpoint:

“Let’s not lose sight of the fact that they were handling Chicago before QB Caleb Williams went down. The question now is should they go back to QB Kyler Murray simply because they can?”

The Vikings' rushing attack ranks 16th in EPA, a number that could improve with Murray's dual-threat ability. His return in Week 3 against Tampa Bay will be a litmus test for the team's long-term trajectory, as noted by Pro Football Focus.

The Disrespect Factor

Despite beating both the Packers and Bears, Minnesota finds itself ranked behind those very teams in some outlets—and even behind the winless Houston Texans in one ranking. It's a perplexing oversight that has fans and analysts scratching their heads. As highlighted on Vulius, the Vikings are 2-0 with a defense that ranks top-10 in efficiency and a special teams unit that's equally stingy. The eye test and the analytics both scream top-10, yet the national media remains cautiously skeptical. Only time—and continued winning—will silence the doubters.

What's Next for the Vikings?

With a Week 3 matchup in Tampa Bay on the horizon, the Vikings have a chance to make another statement. The return of Kyler Murray adds a dynamic element to an offense that has been efficient but not explosive. If the defense continues its reign of terror and the rushing attack finds its footing, Minnesota could crash the top five sooner rather than later. For now, the Vikings remain the NFL's most intriguing team—a squad that's winning ugly, winning smart, and winning despite the skeptics. Stay tuned to Vulius for continued coverage and exclusive Vikings merchandise as this story develops.