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NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 18: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings hands the ball off to teammate Latavius Murray #25 during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 18, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 18: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings hands the ball off to teammate Latavius Murray #25 during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 18, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

. Previous: . Minnesota Vikings. 1. team. 60.

And the top team in Niner Noise’s pre-Week 1 NFL power rankings?

None other than your Minnesota Vikings, of course.

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OK, so the Vikings were stacked last year on both sides of the ball. And aside from changing out quarterbacks, Case Keenum for Kirk Cousins, the offense remains largely consistent too.

Oh, and that running back, Dalvin Cook, returns from a 2017 injury as well. It gets even better, doesn’t it.

Minnesota has some key question marks, however, especially along a banged-up offensive line. Center Pat Elflein is going to miss some time with an ankle injury. Offensive guard Nick Easton is likely out for the season with a neck injury. Neither setback is particularly good for the Vikings.

We’ll see how much that affects Cook, Cousins and the entirety of Minnesota’s offense. But there are still plenty of weapons to make this group tick nicely.

And that defense? Well, the rich become richer after the Vikings brought aboard safety George Iloka.

Next. 49ers' final 53-man roster projections ahead of Week 1. dark

The Vikings are, perhaps, the most well-rounded team in the NFC. Maybe the entirety of the NFL too, which is a scary thing for any squad looking to push this group out of the No. 1 spot heading into Week 1.