Vikings rise in power rankings after Week 3 win over Bucs

Defense has 4+ sacks in each of first three games

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 43m1 min read

The #Vikings received a big boost in the power rankings after the Week 3 win over the Bucs. 📰: https://t.co/8GOHYUZguQ Via @Vikings on X

What happened: Minnesota beat Tampa Bay 23-16 in Tampa to stay unbeaten. FOX moved Minnesota to No. 3 in its updated rankings.

Why it matters: Unbeaten starts carry early NFC leverage into October. Minnesota has done it with defense and special teams carrying the record while offense lags, defining the correction to track.

By the numbers: 3-0; 23-16 at Tampa Bay in Week 3; No. 3 in FOX rankings; 4+ sacks and 2+ takeaways in each of first three games, fifth team in 40 seasons to do it; No. 1 defense and special teams by DVOA, No. 30 offense.

What to watch: Week 4 tests whether the ranking holds and whether offensive efficiency moves off No. 30.

Sources

@Vikings 2026-09-30T14:45:38.258667+00:00

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