The Minnesota Vikings are soaking in the national spotlight after clinching a 14-2 record, and it’s easy to see why they’re turning heads. ESPN’s latest Power Rankings of the 2025 season have placed the Vikings at No. 4, marking their highest standing since they nabbed the No. 2 spot back in Week 7. It’s been a journey, with the team sitting at No. 5 just last week before squaring off against the Green Bay Packers for their second clash this season.

This higher rank places them just behind the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills, with the Philadelphia Eagles rounding out the top five. Sure, the Lions may have edged out the Vikings in their initial matchup, so giving Detroit the nod is understandable. But this could very well serve as extra motivation for head coach Kevin O’Connell, who’s been pulling out all the stops to keep this Vikings squad laser-focused and inspired week in and week out.

Watching the national pundits finally shower the Vikings with some well-earned praise is a treat, especially after they stumbled in a couple of October matchups. Now, it’s up to the Vikings to capitalize on this attention and continue proving they’re worthy of the hype. With a coach like O’Connell at the helm and a team that’s been firing on all cylinders for much of the season, there’s every reason to be optimistic as the playoffs loom.