What happened: Minnesota earned the promotion in Tuesday's poll following a 16-10 victory on Oct. 25. Every other club in the league has now suffered at least one defeat this regular season.

Why it matters: The surge continues a steady ascent for a roster that entered the top five in weekly power rankings earlier in October after starting July in the middle tier. Owning the top spot in the standings gives the club early control of the race for home-field advantage and a first-round playoff bye.

What to watch: The Vikings put their perfect mark on the line next week while evaluating roster options ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline.