On Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings have their toughest test of the season as they host the Kansas City Chiefs in U.S. Bank Stadium at 3:25 PM CST.
This will be the first time that Patrick Mahomes will play against the Vikings. While he was on the roster in the 2019 matchup, Mahomes was sidelined with a knee injury. Matt Moore was a fine substitution as the Vikings still fell to the Chiefs that day 26-23 on a Harrison Butker field goal at the end of the game.
Buy Vikings TicketsMinnesota is one of two teams that Mahomes has not beaten in the NFL, the only other franchise that has not lost to the two-time MVP is the Indianapolis Colts.
The Vikings look to keep that status intact and improve to 2-3 with a statement win against the former Super Bowl champions. To do that, Minnesota needs to use every advantage that they have. In this exercise, we outline the advantages at each position for both teams.
Quarterback
Advantage: Kansas City
There’s an argument that Patrick Mahomes is not only the best quarterback, but the best player in the NFL right now. There should be no shame for Kirk Cousins in being on the other side of this decision.
Cousins has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks at the beginning of this season. He is seventh in adjusted net yards per pass attempt, has thrown the most passing touchdowns and have led an offense that’s top-five in both points scored and yards gained.
With all of that, Patrick Mahomes gets the edge because he is possibly the most dominant player in the NFL.
Running Back
Advantage: Kansas City
The Chiefs run game has become a surprising positive after this season. Their running game with running backs Isaiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon has been a fun watch. They are being used in various ways to get them into space and have found themselves with a top-ten rushing attack to go with their top-ten passing attack.
The Vikings finally showed some life in their running game the past two weeks. They ran for 130+ yards for two weeks in a row for the first time since mid-December in 2021. A great sign for the future of the running game, as the first two weeks were abysmal production-wise.
Kansas City gets the edge due to consistency.
Wide receiver
Advantage: Minnesota
One of the only deficiencies of the Kansas City offense is the talent at the receiver position. Not that they aren’t talented, they just don’t scare you in one-on-one situations. Luckily, they don’t have to because Andy Reid schemes this offense in ways to get them the football where these receivers work best. Skyy Moore will find the ball in space near the line of scrimmage while Marquez Valdez-Scantling will find room in the intermediate parts of the field.
In Minnesota, the talent at the receiver position is undeniable. There’s K.J. Osborn, who is as good of a third option in an offense that you can get. Jordan Addison has found himself a consistent role as the secondary receiver, scoring two touchdowns early in his fresh career. Then, there’s the main event in Justin Jefferson who is the engine that makes this passing offense go.
The trio of Jefferson, Addison and Osborn take the slight edge due to talent.
Tight End
Advantage: Kansas City
Minnesota has a good set of tight ends. T.J. Hockenson is one of the most reliable pass-catchers you can find in the middle of the field, as well as a good route-runner. Josh Oliver is a brutal blocker that can also help in the pass game.
But they’re not Travis Kelce. And we haven’t seen a safety net like Kelce ever at the tight end position. While Kelce garners all this attention, Noah Gray is available to take some of those targets that Kelce won’t have due to double teams.
Because of Kelce, Kansas City has to the edge.
Offensive line
Advantage: Kansas City
Neither unit has been very good in pass protection, they both have let up a 25%+ pressure percentage. But the running games for both units have looked good in recent weeks and that starts up front.
Kirk Cousins’ lack of mobility, especially compared to Patrick Mahomes, can make a line look worse than it is. However, the line for the Minnesota Vikings has improved a bit and they may get their center Garrett Bradbury back, while also adding free agent Dalton Risner to shore up the interior.
However, given the continuity and for only allowing one sack against the New York Jets defensive line, the edge goes to Kansas City.
Defensive line/pass rush
Advantage: Kansas City
Minnesota’s defensive line has improved week after week, culminating in an all-around great day from the defense against Carolina. The Carolina rushing game was held to 2.7 yards per carry against the Vikings. Other than the drubbing from Philadelphia, this Vikings team has held the run game to a minimum. Their 3.5 yards per carry allowed ranks sixth-best in the NFL.
While Kansas City can’t match Minnesota’s production from the run game, their ability to rush the passer dwarfed Minnesota’s. The Chiefs have 47 pressures through four games, good for sixth-best in the NFL. Minnesota’s pass rush finally came alive in Carolina, but their 27 pressures on the year tie for fifth-worst. Hopefully, more consistent snaps from Marcus Davenport can help matters in that department.
In today’s day and age, the pass overrules the run game, the slight edge goes to Kansas City.
Linebacker
Advantage: Kansas City
The play from the linebackers of both teams are pretty identical. Neither team allows for too many missed tackles, both units are fast and physical.
The play of Nick Bolton, Willie Gay and Leo Chenal should give Chiefs fans a lot of optimism. While Minnesota looks in the middle and sees a player who has already exceeded expectations in Ivan Pace, Jr. alongside Jordan Hicks.
The Chiefs are a bit more solid in coverage, so the edge goes to them, but this could very easily become a draw.
Cornerback
Advantage: Kansas City
The tandem of L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie has already gotten off to a good start to 2023. The 84.0 passer rating allowed by the Kansas City defense is ranked 12th best in the NFL.
Minnesota’s corners had a banner day against Young and the Panthers but there were still explosives and a lot of yards given up after the initial catch. Part of that is admittedly due to the aggressiveness of Flores’ scheme, however, corners and safeties alike need to rally and attack the ball carrier.
Kansas City gets the slight edge.
Safeties
Advantage: Minnesota
Bryan Cook and Justin Reid are both reliable safeties that won’t miss tackles in the open field. If you don’t believe me, ask Breece Hall of the New York Jets, who was on the way to score a game-altering 80-yard touchdown before Cook took him down and essentially saved the game for the Chiefs.
But they’re not Harrison Smith. Smith showed the NFL world just how impactful he can still be in year 12 of his career. Three sacks, including the game-sealing sack and a strip-sack that turned into a scoop-and-score for the defense.
Add in the quick triggering Camryn Bynum and the Minnesota Vikings get the edge.
Specialists
Advantage: Kansas City
Tommy Townsend, Kansas City’s punter, is having a pretty good year thus far. He is fourth in net yards per punt and has 50% of his punts downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Harrison Butker has been a perfect 8-for-8 on field goals and 11-for-11 on extra points.
On the Minnesota side, Greg Joseph hasn’t had much opportunity on field goals, going 2-for-2 but is a perfect 12-for-12 on extra points. Ryan Wright has shown off one of the stronger legs in the NFL with 51.5 yards per punt, good for fifth in the league.
Because of the efficiency and production, the slight edge goes to Kansas City.
