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KC Chiefs: Four things to watch vs Minnesota Vikings in week nine

By Matthew Smith

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 23: Matt Asiata #44 of the Minnesota Vikings is stopped by the Kansas City Chiefs defense during the first quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on August 23, 2014 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 23: Matt Asiata #44 of the Minnesota Vikings is stopped by the Kansas City Chiefs defense during the first quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on August 23, 2014 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) (John Autey / MediaNews Group / St. Paul Pioneer Press via Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) (John Autey / MediaNews Group / St. Paul Pioneer Press via Getty Images) /

Dalvin Cook is leading the NFL in rushing so far this season.

Over the course of eight weeks this season Dalvin Cook‘s stat line/ranks reads:

  • Attempts: 156 (3rd)
  • Rush Yards: 823 (1st)
  • Rush Touchdowns: 9 (1st)
  • Average Yards Per Carry: 5.3 (6th)

Coming off of an ACL injury (2017) and a hamstring injury (2018) in his first two seasons in the NFL, Cook is showing that no injury is going to slow him down in his quest to become one of the best backs in the NFL.

Cook poses a tough matchup for a Chiefs defense that is starting to find its rhythm in it run defense. Over the past two games the Chiefs have seen a drastic change in stopping the run compared to weeks one through six. When you put the numbers side by side they look like this.

Weeks 1-6

  • Attempts: 188
  • Rush Yards Allowed: 971
  • Touchdowns: 8
  • Average Yards Per Carry: 5.2

Weeks 7-8

  • Attempts: 47
  • Rush Yards Allowed: 189
  • Touchdowns: 2
  • Average Yards Per Carry: 4.0

If the Chiefs defense can stay on pace and shut down a dominant run game, it will go a long way in getting another tally in the win column.

Minnesota has weapons on the outside.

Wide Receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs are both a big threat to the Chiefs secondary. This receiving duo has accounted for the vast majority of the Vikings receiving numbers. This season their numbers combine as followed:

  • Receptions: 64
  • Receiving Yards: 1,097
  • Touchdowns: 10

Minnesota pass catchers have accounted for a total of 215 targets, out of those targets Both Thielen and Diggs amount for forty one percent (89).

With Thielen expected back from a prior hamstring injury and Diggs coming off a game where he put up over 143 yards, you can expect the Minnesota to attack a Chiefs secondary that has been banged up over the past few weeks.

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