The Minnesota Vikings are coming off their first loss of the season, a hard-fought nailbiter at home last Sunday, 31-29.

Up next are the Los Angeles Rams, a team that scarcely resembles the one Kevin O'Connell left when he was hired as the head man with the Vikings.

It's a Thursday night tilt, so there'll be plenty of time to bask or stew over what happens, but for now where do the Vikings stand in the power rankings?

I'm glad you asked -- here is the consensus look at this week's power rankings.

Key excerpt: "Three of the next four are on the road, but all four are eminently winnable, so I expect this team to continue stacking successes, even after the first setback."

Key excerpt: "...Honestly, Sunday's loss to the Lions may have been Minnesota's second-best showing."

Key excerpt: "(Will Reichard) has made all 30 of his attempts this season, including 18-for-18 on extra point attempts and 12-for-12 on field goal tries, the most by any NFL kicker this season without a miss."

Key excerpt: "Can they recover from losing to the Lions before Thursday night?"

Key excerpt: "The Lions gave them their first loss of the season in large part because the defense wasn't as good. They have a short turnaround to play Thursday to get things fixed."

Key excerpt: "Brian Flores' run defense had a disappointing Sunday vs. Detroit."

Key excerpt: "Minnesota is the only team in the NFL that ranks in the top six of both scoring offense and defense despite losing its first game Sunday."

Key excerpt: "Sam Darnold continues to exceed expectations as the Vikings' starter."

Key excerpt: "This should not be any disrespect to the Vikings, who, like the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, lost to a great team also at their best and had to take a tiny little slide down the rankings because of it."

Key excerpt: "They're also still unblemished on the road - and that's where they're going to live in the near term, four of their next five away from U.S. Bank Stadium, but only one of those trips (Chicago) to visit a club .500 or better."

Key excerpt: "You shouldn't downgrade the Vikings much. They're a very good team who got beat in the final minute by a slightly better team."

Key excerpt: "The Vikings are still 5-1 and will get back T.J. Hockenson this week from a knee injury. Minnesota is one of the league's most balanced teams and is a near-lock to make the playoffs this season."

Key excerpt: "Vikes lost a game, but they didn't look bad. Minnesota's a long-term contender."

Key excerpt: "The Vikings rallied from an 11-point fourth quarter deficit to take a one-point lead on two field goals and a defensive touchdown by Ivan Pace Jr before Bates sent them to heartbreak."