NFL power rankings: Vikings, Eagles fight for top spot

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) ,Minnesota Vikings cornerback Terence Newman (23), and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) take a breather during a NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals on December 17, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.The Vikings defeated the Bengals 34-7.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 31: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kirk Cousins No. 8 of the Washington Redskins in action against the New York Giants on December 31, 2017 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 18-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

2. Minnesota Vikings

After the first week of free agency, the Minnesota Vikings have currently solidified themselves as the second-best team in the NFL. It starts and ends with locking up Kirk Cousins for the next three years. It cost Rick Spielman $84 million in fully guaranteed money but there’s no question it was going to take just that to acquire the top free agent quarterback on the market. The Vikings weren’t even the highest bidders, which should be considered a win in itself.

Cousins immediately elevates the Vikings into Super Bowl conversation. With no notable unrestricted free agent departures, just about all of last year’s roster is intact. The Vikings have to believe Cousins is an upgrade over Case Keenum, despite the lack of results with the Redskins. He showed the ability to produce with limited weapons in Washington and has more help under John DeFilippo’s offense.

To add with Cousins, the Vikings also went ahead and stole Sheldon Richardson right out of Seattle. He comes to Minnesota on a one-year deal and joins a front-seven that already possesses Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks. Good luck scoring on the Vikings next season. That’s an unreal unit under the helm of George Edwards.

If you’ve followed these rankings, you may have guessed that the Philadelphia Eagles reign supreme. While that’s still true, the Vikings are neck and neck in the NFC, there’s no question about it.

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