The phrase "It's a marathon, not a sprint" is often used to encourage patience. But NFL offenses didn't get that message in Week 1, which turned out to be one of the highest-scoring openers in league history.
The 32 teams combined for 791 points, matching the highest Week 1 total since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, with an average of 49.4 points per game, per NFL research. Ten teams scored 30 or more points, tying for the third-most in Week 1 ever, behind the 1986 season (12 teams) and 2002 (11 teams).
The Minnesota Vikings looked like they might miss that scoring party early in their opener against the Green Bay Packers. Their first offensive possession lasted two plays, ending with an interception on Kyler Murray's first regular-season pass attempt as a Viking. Murray was later ruled out with a concussion suffered at the end of a scramble, cutting short his debut in purple.
View exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from the Vikings Week 1 game against the Packers.
Despite losing Murray, the Vikings kept grinding. They trailed 22-10 with 5:09 left in the third quarter, then scored 29 unanswered points, including 22 in the fourth quarter, to earn a stunning 39-22 victory.
The comeback gave Minnesota its sixth straight win dating back to last season and helped the team climb in this week's Power Rankings, with the biggest jump being six spots.
Here is a look at where the Vikings landed heading into Week 2:
No. 22 (down 3 spots): Nick Shook – NFL.com
"The Vikings found a way to turn what was trending toward an ugly, disheartening season opener into a 17-point triumph. The result still seems absurd to me, given that the Packers led by 12 points late in the third quarter, but Brian Flores' defense (along with some penalties by the opposition) can swing a game that quickly. Now the Vikings have to hope Kyler Murray can return before long."
No. 15 (up 6 spots): Kris Knox – Bleacher Report
"This Vikings team is going to be a threat in the NFC if it can get steady quarterback play — regardless of which signal-caller provides it. Carson Wentz largely played the game-manager role in relief of Kyler Murray (concussion). However, he put the ball in the end zone and allowed Minnesota's defense to take over the game instead of just keeping the team in it. Of course, one impressive win won't be enough to launch the Vikings toward the top of our power rankings."
No. 13 (up 5 spots): Pete Prisco – CBS Sports
"That was a heck of a comeback against the Packers. The defense led the way."
No. 16 (up 2 spots): Nate Davis – USA Today
"The bad news? Quarterback disarray remains the baseline here. The good news? Resurgent WR Justin Jefferson has already matched his 2025 TD total (2).
Source: www.vikings.com — Read the original article
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