Vikings vs. Chiefs: 4 storylines to watch
The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon in a pivotal game for the purple and gold.
After a 1-3 start, the underlying metrics have this team better than their record, which is the direct opposite of what the Vikings were last season.
The game looks interesting on paper, as the Vikings are currently 5.5-point underdogs at home, but the Vikings have found a way to make it interesting when they are underdogs.
The game will be nationally televised at 3:25 pm central time on CBS with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the call.
As we look forward to the game on Sunday, here are four storylines to keep your eye on.
Managing editor Tyler Forness: Turnovers
The Vikings have had a turnover issue over the first four games. With 11 turnovers over that time, the Vikings have the second-worst turnover margin the National Football League at -8.
If the Vikings are going to take a step forward this season, they will need to limit those turnovers. One way to do that is with Kirk Cousins fixing his decision-making. If Cousins can be more confident with his decision-making, that will be a huge step forward.
Columnist Judd Zulgad: Patrick Mahomes vs. Brian Flores
The Vikings’ defensive coordinator dialed up an excellent game plan on Sunday against the Panthers but that was in part because first-overall pick Bryce Young is in over his head. Mahomes is the NFL’s best quarterback and coming off a poor performance (for him) in a Sunday night victory over the Jets, he’s going to be looking to make someone pay. Flores loves to bring pressure and confuse quarterbacks, but he has to be careful against a savvy veteran who has weapons, such as tight end Travis Kelce. If the Vikings upset the Chiefs it will be because of their offense, but the defense needs to have a respectable showing.
Columnist Saivion Mixson: Can the Vikings stop the run game?
Amidst all the attention on Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and even Taylor Swift, the running game of the Kansas City Chiefs has caught fire. What started as a means to ensure this passing game could flourish has become a game-wrecking threat. The Chiefs rolled out a diverse running game that attacks every part of the defense, from end-arounds and delayed draw plays to traps and inside zone. The New York Jets came into their week three game fifth in EPA against the run. Against the Chiefs, they were 24th in the NFL and allowed 204 yards on 35 carries. To put this performance into perspective, this was the first time the Jets allowed 200+ yards since December of 2021, Robert Saleh’s first season as head coach.
It will be interesting to see how Flores lines up to stop the unique running game that Kansas City can roll out if you sell out to play the pass.
Columnist Chris Spooner: Is Minnesota finally developing a running game?
One of the biggest storylines for the Vikings this season has been the running game – or lack thereof. Dalvin Cook left the team in the offseason, and Alexander Mattison was the presumed heir apparent. He was supposed to inject some life into a Vikings rushing attack that was dreadfully inefficient last season. That hasn’t panned out for Mattison and the Vikings yet this season. That is, until last week.
With the addition of former Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers to the equation, the Vikings running game showed signs of life for the first time this season last week against the Panthers. The duo was able to gash the Panthers defense to the tune of nearly 6 yards per carry. That ground success is going to have to continue for the Vikings to pull off the upset this week. This may not be the explosive Chiefs offense that fans are used to, but Minnesota’s best shot at a win is still to shorten the game and minimize the chances that Patrick Mahomes hits you with a dagger.
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