KC Chiefs: Five things we learned in week nine win over Vikings

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 03: Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs receives congratulations from Kansas City Chiefs fans following Butker's game-winning 44-yard field goal with :00 left in the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 03: Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs receives congratulations from Kansas City Chiefs fans following Butker's game-winning 44-yard field goal with :00 left in the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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The KC Chiefs narrowly escaped Arrowhead with a victory on Sunday afternoon. What did we learn about the 6-3 Chiefs after their 26-23 victory over the Minnesota Vikings?

Normally, Casey Adkins does these posts every week, but work took up his time this week, so I’m filling in for Casey. Fortunately I got a good game to fill in for, as the Kansas City Chiefs beat a very good Vikings team on Sunday. Let’s get to what we learned, shall we?

CHIEFS DEFENSE IS STARTING TO GEL

This is HUGE for the Chiefs moving forward. All season long fans have been saying “Imagine what this team could do with even an average defense” and now we’re starting to see that. They held the Vikings to under 100 yards rushing (and the Vikings have one of the best rushing attacks in the league!).

The secondary didn’t do as great on Sunday, especially on third downs where they allowed three Kirk Cousins touchdown passes, but Charvarius Ward is having a great season and has helped the pass defense in big moments. Stefon Diggs had just one catch for four yards on Sunday and THAT is a big time win for this defense.

MECOLE HARDMAN PRIMARLY SPECIAL TEAMER

When looking at the box score from this game, I was stunned to see that Mecole Hardman wasn’t involved on offense much at all. He was present for 18% of the offensive snaps and wasn’t targeted once in this game.

He had six total returns (both kick returns and punt returns) and clearly the Chiefs prefer using him on special teams right now. His fumble was costly, so is that what’s keeping him from being more utilized on offense?

NO MAHOMES, NO PROBLEM

Patrick Mahomes missed his second straight game, but Matt Moore executed beautifully. He threw for 275 yards and a touchdown and looked really good despite getting sacked five times. The Chiefs couldn’t have asked for much more (no pun intended) out of Matt Moore. He’s been fabulous and has kept KC in great shape with their MVP out.

BUTKER’S KICK MIGHT HAVE SAVED THE SEASON

Harrison Butker has been up and down this season, but he proved he’s still the real deal at the kicker spot. He hit all four field goals that were asked of him, including the 44 yard game winner, and also hit the two extra point attempts.

Kansas City would have made the playoffs and likely won the division even if Butker’s kick hadn’t gone through and the Chief went on to lose, but that ball going through the uprights very well might have helped get KC the two seed in the playoffs.

VIKINGS FANS TRAVEL WELL

Did I really hear a SKOL chant in Arrowhead on Sunday on my television? That’s very disappointing. The purple throughout the stands stood out quite a bit and it sounded like there were more Vikings fans at the game on Sunday than Packers fans were at Arrowhead the week prior.

I don’t like seeing Arrowhead filled with opposing fans, but give credit to that Minnesota fan base. They travel well and made their presence known in a big game.

CONCLUSION

Next up for the Kansas City Chiefs is a date with the Tennessee Titans in Nashville next Sunday. Hopefully Mahomes is back under center, but if he’s not, Moore has shown he can lead the way.