Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: 32-team overreactions heading into Week 2

By Peter Panacy

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown by Phillip Dorsett #13 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown by Phillip Dorsett #13 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings passes the ball in the first half of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings passes the ball in the first half of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. team. 60. . W, 24-16 vs. 49ers. Previous: . Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings drop a spot in our NFL power rankings despite picking up the home win over the 49ers in Week 1.

A primary reason for this is because Minnesota was in position to stage a blowout against a Niners team which, defensively, still lacks a lot of firepower. But by the end of the game, San Francisco was still hanging around and moving the ball rather effectively in the second half against one of the best defenses in the league.

Perhaps that’s a cause for concern. Same with a banged-up offensive line that was missing center Pat Elflein (ankle).

Kirk Cousins was solid in his Vikings debut, passing for nearly 250 yards and two touchdowns en route to the win. And his chemistry with wide receiver Adam Thielen was fun to watch too.

But the biggest storyline from Minnesota’s vantage point was being able to intercept Jimmy Garoppolo three times in the game. Forcing a 49ers fumble while pressed up against its own goal line is also worth mentioning.

The game was pretty sloppy overall, however, and the Vikings will need to clean a few things up if they want to retain their hold on an increasingly tough NFC North.