Minnesota Vikings @ Kansas City Chiefs

Location

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo

 

Time

1pm ET

6pm UK

 

Coverage

Fox

Game Pass

Chiefs Radio Network

 

Team Records

Chiefs 5-3

Vikings 6-2

 

Last 3 games

18th Oct 2015 Chiefs 10 @ Vikings 16

2nd Oct 2011 Vikings 17 @ Chiefs 22

23rd Sept 2007 Vikings 10 @ Chiefs 13

 

The story so far

Injuries. So many starters out over the past few weeks and it’s taken it’s toll on results. The biggest obviously has been Mahomes but there have been losses on the defence that have had a big effect too. However, that said, the defence have made noticable improvements despite the defeat last week. It took a Mahomes like touchdown pass from Rodgers to clinch the game for the Packers and other than a complete lack of coverage ability by the linebackers, the D looked solid.

The Vikings have had a strange start. Their offence on paper is very threatening with plenty of money invested in skill positions. The defence is aggressive and can be dominant on their day. However they started the season slowly and it was only when the receivers complained about not passing enough that the Vikings opened their playbook up and since reeled off 4 wins on the bounce. They’ll be confident coming into Arrowhead this week.

 

Head to head

Chiefs lead 7-5

 

Team Leaders

Passing	Att	Cmp	Yds	TDs
Patrick Mahomes	241	157	2180	15
Rushing	Car	Yds	Avg	TDs
LeSean McCoy	69	362	5.2	2
Damien Williams	48	100	2.1	2
Receiving	Rec	Yds	Avg	TDs
Travis Kelce	42	604	14.4	2
Sammy Watkins	28	410	14.6	3
Mecole Hardman	20	374	18.7	4
Demarcus Robinson	22	318	14.5	3

One to watch

Derrick Nnadi.

The run defence has been much improved over the last couple of weeks, Nnadi has been a key part of this. His impressive form will be much needed to hold up against one of the best running backs in the league in Dalvin Cook who has 823 yards rushing already this season.

 

Key Matchup

Stefon Diggs v Brashard Breeland.

 

Diggs is the Vikings best weapon I think but Thielen isn’t far behind. If we can take away their best receiver and force the others to beat us then this should be a competetive game. If not, we could be in for a long afternoon.

 

Injuries

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

PLAYER	POS.	INJURY	PART. WED.	PART. THURS.	PART. FRI.	GAME STATUS
Bashaud Breeland	CB	Shoulder	DNP	LP	FP	—
Frank Clark	DE	Neck	DNP	DNP	LP	Questionable
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif	G	Ankle	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Eric Fisher	T	Groin	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Alex Okafor	DE	Ankle	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Dustin Colquitt	P	Left Thigh	LP	LP	LP	—
Kendall Fuller	CB	Thumb	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Chris Jones	DT	Groin	LP	FP	FP	Questionable
Patrick Mahomes	QB	Knee	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Blake Bell	TE	Back	FP	FP	FP	—
Andrew Wylie	G	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	—

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

PLAYER	POS.	INJURY	PART. WED.	PART. THURS.	PART. FRI.	GAME STATUS
Adam Thielen	WR	Hamstring	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
Linval Joseph	DT	Knee	FP	FP	FP	—
Shamar Stephen	DT	Knee	FP	FP	FP	—

What they said

Anthony Harris, Vikings safety.

“This is a very competitive team, very talented. It’s an opportunity for us to see a different opponent,” Harris added. “We’ve had a lot of division games so far, so now we can see somebody on the other side of the league and see where we fall.”

What we said

Eric Bieniemy talking about Hardman

“When a player can come in and not play as many snaps, you always feel that yes, you need to get them going in some type of way. But we have a unique skill set of players, so it’s hard trying to say, ‘Hey. Let’s get them all out here. We’re going to get everybody 1,000 plays and everybody’s going to be successful.’ One thing we do understand is the importance of being a team.

“We do understand the importance of being a band of brothers that are all on the same journey together that’s trying to accomplish a goal. So when your number is called, let’s make sure we maximize that opportunity and make the most of it.”

 

Odds

Vikings by 1.5.

 

Prediction

Genuinely no idea. Chiefs 20 Vikings 17.