4. Minnesota Vikings
Last week: 10th
The Minnesota Vikings just keep on winning, so we’re going to stop trying to think up reasons to keep this team out of the top 5 of our NFL Power Rankings.
Sure, there are aspects of this Vikings team that don’t scream out, “TOP 5!” But at the same time, if you are a believer in the football theology that “defense wins championships,” then the Vikings are a championship-caliber team.
The Brian Flores defense has proven to be a Bermuda Triangle of sorts. Offenses try to navigate it, but they simply get lost. It’s been the most dominating unit in the entire league this season, and they showed out against the Saints in Week 5.
We’ve seen Tyler Shough among the league leaders in passing so far this season, and he was held to under 100 yards against the Vikings’ defense. You have to figure as Kyler Murray gets more and more comfortable, the offense will come around for this team. The Vikings are 5-0 and they are for real.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Last week: 3rd
Chiefs were on a bye in Week 5
The Kansas City Chiefs are dealing with some adversity despite their impressive 4-0 start to the season.
In their Week 4 win against the Las Vegas Raiders, they lost receivers Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton to injuries. Thornton’s, in particular, was tough to watch/stomach.
It’ll be next man up at receiver for the Chiefs, but we already know that this new-look offense is flowing through running back Kenneth Walker, who has now been part of 14 straight wins dating back to last season with the Seahawks (including the playoffs).
Walker is the not-so-secret sauce.
Of course, the expectation from the masses in the NFL world was that the Chiefs would return to form this season, but could anybody have predicted just how good the Chiefs would be on the ground? This is a team that ranked at or near the bottom of the NFL in most rushing metrics the past couple of seasons, and it put way too much pressure on Patrick Mahomes.
Not that the pressure is completely off, but Mahomes is playing with a rejuvenated fire and confidence, with Walker to lean on.
Add us as a preferred source on Google