Kansas City Chiefs: Getting to know Minnesota Vikings before Week 9

On Sunday afternoon, the Kansas City Chiefs, 5-3, will aim to snap a three-game losing streak as they welcome to Arrowhead the 6-2 Minnesota Vikings.

Much like last week, the Kansas City Chiefs will be down several starters on each side of the football. Will Patrick Mahomes play? What about Eric Fisher and Andrew Wylie?

The Vikings will have back wide receiver Adam Thielen opposite Stefon Diggs–will the Chiefs be able to counter with the return of Kendall Fuller?

As of this writing, that’s up in the air. But in order to get to know the Vikings better, I reached out to Adam Carlson, the site expert over at The Viking Age.

Here’s the Q-&-A between me and Adam:

What’s your feeling for the Vikings after they went 4-0 in October?

Adam: The Vikings needed to get back in the NFC North chase in a big way. Being able to rattle off four consecutive wins in October was great because it showed that this team can compete in the NFC was important because the four wins all game against conference opponents. This might be important if the playoffs come down to tiebreakers for the division or Wild Card spots. Not only that, but it givens fans hope after a humiliating loss to the Bears in Week 4.

Kirk Cousins had a great month. How does he keep that going Sunday against the Chiefs?

Adam: The offense is starting to be tailored toward Cousins’ strengths. The Vikings quarterback is a master of play-action and the exceptional run game combined with exceptional pass-catchers like Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, and Kyle Rudolph. He needs to continue taking what the defense gives him and be efficient with high-percentage throws while every once in a while testing the opposing team’s defense deep. 

Running back Dalvin Cook is also tearing it up. Can you tell Chiefs fans what makes the third-year back so special?

Adam: Admittedly, I was concerned about Cook’s durability entering this season. However, he’s been able to prove than when he is healthy that he can be among the league’s elite rushers. A combination of acceleration, speed, vision, agility, and power, Cook has all the tools needed to challenge even the best run defense. He has always shown flashes of being great, and he is finally realizing it. Being able to rely on rookie Alexander Mattison to give him breaks on the field has been a big benefit as well.

On the defensive side of the ball, who needs to step it up against Kansas City?

Adam: Xavier Rhodes has been struggling this season. Previously known for being a shutdown corner, the veteran has been a target for opposing quarterbacks as he has been playing too far off in coverage this year. The speedy receivers of Kansas City will pose a huge problem with Rhodes, especially if Mahomes is healthy enough to play in this game.

Can you give Chiefs fans a couple of under-the-radar Vikings to keep an eye out for?

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Adam: Offensively, watch out for tight end Irv Smith, Jr. The rookie tight end was known in college for picking up yards after the catch and Minnesota has been looking to him at least a couple of times per game, but one of these weeks he is bound to have a big game for Minnesota.

How do you see the NFC North playing out between the Vikings and Packers?

Adam: Right now, the Packers have a major advantage. Not only are they a game ahead in the division but they own one head-to-head win and have swept the NFC so far with a 3-0 record. This puts the Vikings in a position where they desperately need to win the next head-to-head game in Week 16.

Not only that, but Minnesota has a tough schedule. Games against the Chiefs, Cowboys, Seahawks, Chargers, and other quality teams are coming up and the Vikings will have a lot to prove. Sadly, the division looks like it belongs to the Packers, with the purple and gold hoping for a Wild Card spot.

Finally, what’s your prediction for the Vikings-Chiefs game on Sunday?

Adam: It’s hard to predict anything about this game until we know who will be behind center for the Chiefs. Mahomes is a former MVP and extremely talented quarterback who is an absolute game-changer. when he’s on the field. However, assuming he isn’t good to go, a struggling Chiefs defense will be tasked with stopping the Vikings offense, and I don’t think they’ll be able to do that.

This will be a competitive game until the final moments, but this is a game Minnesota can win. It will be by four points or less, and I believe that’s exactly how the game will end.

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A big thank you to Adam for taking the time to answer my questions. For more coverage on the Minnesota Vikings, be sure to check out The Viking Age.