Chiefs at Vikings, Week 5 preview

It's the battle of the Netflix quarterbacks.

It’s the battle of the Netflix quarterbacks as Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs (3-1) take on Kirk Cousins’ Minnesota Vikings (1-3).

These teams are on an opposite trajectory to begin the season. While the Chiefs started with a loss and then won three in a row, the Vikings kicked off with three losses in a row followed by its first win. It’s notable, however, that Minnesota’s three losses came within six points or less, meaning the team is close to finding its footing.

Key game details

Location: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn.
Date: Sunday, Oct. 8
Time: 3:25 p.m. CT
Network/streaming: CBS
Radio: 106.5 The Wolf, Chiefs mobile app
Broadcasters: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
Referee: Land Clark
Betting line: Chiefs -4 to -4.5
Weather: (Dome) Approx. 57°, clear skies, 9-10 mph winds, chance of rain 0%

Injury reports from Friday

Chiefs

Limited participants: LB Nick Bolton (ankle), DT Matt Dickerson (knee)

Full participants: LB Jack Cochrane (calf), DL Chris Jones (groin), DE George Karlaftis (knee), OL Wanya Morris (hip), CB L'Jarius Sneed (knee), WR Kadarius Toney (toe), LB Drue Tranquill (wrist), CB Jaylen Watson (shoulder)

Game designations: LB Nick Bolton (questionable), DT Matt Dickerson (questionable), OL Wanya Morris (questionable)

The Chiefs are getting healthier after missing two players last week to injury: Bolton and Watson. It looks like Watson is tracking to play, though Bolton could miss another week as a precaution. Luckily, Tranquill has done a solid job in his place.

Vikings

Limited participants: LB Brian Asamoah II (toe), S Lewis Cine (hamstring), QB Nick Mullens (back)

Full participants: C Garrett Bradbury (back), LB Marcus Davenport (ankle), S Josh Metellus (shoulder)

Game designations: LB Brian Asamoah II (questionable), S Lewis Cine (questionable), LB Marcus Davenport (questionable), QB Nick Mullens (questionable)

A handful of contributors for the Vikings are banged up, including a starter in Davenport. Any losses on defense could be tough for a squad that has already struggled this season.

Key players and matchups to watch in Week 5

RB Jerick McKinnon vs. his old team

Remember when McKinnon played for the Vikings? It seems like forever ago, but the first four years of his career were spent in Minnesota. This isn’t necessarily a revenge game as there’s probably no ill will on either side, but McKinnon may have some extra juice against his former squad.

WR Kadarius Toney

I know Toney has been battling a toe injury the last couple of weeks, but to be honest, when is he not battling an injury? The fact is Toney hasn’t been productive so far this year, and his two catches last week didn’t provide much confidence that his trajectory is trending upward. Will that change this week? Let’s hope, because fans may soon lose confidence in him if nothing encouraging happens soon.

CB Trent McDuffie vs. WR Justin Jefferson

This is the marquee matchup that we’re waiting to see. Of course, Jefferson could also line up against Sneed, but McDuffie has been playing both the slot and outside roles along with Sneed this season. Meanwhile, Jefferson plays both in the slot and the outside, which means he’ll likely go up against McDuffie at some point. Can the Chiefs’ current best CB in McDuffie shut down the league’s best receiver?

Chiefs’ defensive line vs. Vikings’ offensive line

The Chiefs’ pass rush has been good so far this year, with Jones unsurprisingly leading the team with 3.5 sacks. The Vikings, meanwhile, don’t exactly have the most reliable offensive line. Their right guard, Ed Ingram, has allowed 14 pressures, tied for 11th most in the league (and third most among offensive guards). Right now, that’s looking like a tasty matchup for Jones.

Top stats to know

158.

Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco had the best game of his career last week, earning 158 yards from scrimmage — his largest single-game total. Needless to say, the Chiefs need to keep feeding Pacheco and let him continue his angry runs.

4.

Mahomes has four interceptions so far, tied for sixth most in the league. Mahomes doesn’t typically throw picks, so what gives? Even he says he hasn’t been at his best so far this season. Maybe it’s the lack of connection with his receivers, or maybe he’s trying to force throws that aren’t there. It’s probably somewhere in the middle. Either way, he’ll probably get that fixed soon (we hope).

2.

The good thing about the Chiefs’ offensive struggles is that the offensive line is at least holding up. There have been issues with penalties, plus pressures from the left side, but Mahomes has only been sacked twice this season. The Chiefs have allowed the fewest sacks in the league so far. Part of that is due to Mahomes’ scrambling ability, but he’s also seen his fair share of clean pockets.

Chiefs-Vikings matchup history

The Chiefs are 8-5 against the Vikings all time dating back to 1970. Minnesota is the only team left for Mahomes to beat – he has already defeated every other NFL team (except, of course, for the Chiefs).

The last time the Chiefs and Vikings played…

The Chiefs defeated the Vikings 26-23 on Nov. 3, 2019. Mahomes was absent from that game due to a knee injury, so former Chiefs backup QB Matt Moore stepped in to help win the game for K.C. Moore wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help of former Chiefs RB Damien Williams, who had 125 yards and a score on the ground, and former Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill, who earned 140 yards and a touchdown through the air.

The best Chiefs-Vikings game ever was…

Definitely their first-ever matchup in history, which was Super Bowl IV on Jan. 11, 1970. It wasn’t a very competitive contest as the Chiefs dominated 23-7, but it’s still the best because it was the Chiefs’ first Super Bowl victory (and last one for 50 years). The Super Bowl MVP was Chiefs great QB Len Dawson, who finished with 142 yards, one touchdown and an interception. It was really the Chiefs’ defense that shined during that game, though, as it earned three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and three sacks.

Chiefs-Vikings prediction, picks

The Vikings are a much better team than their record suggests. They have explosive playmakers on offense, and Cousins has shown he can put the team on his back when things get tough. This shouldn’t be an easy W for K.C.

Will the Chiefs beat the Vikings?

The Chiefs should win this game, though it should be a close battle. I can see the Chiefs having trouble containing Jefferson, and I worry that the K.C. offense still hasn’t found its identity enough to put up big points consistently. However, if the Chiefs continue to lean on Kelce and Pacheco, they should be able to squeeze out a win.

Will the Chiefs cover the spread?

A four-point spread is tough considering the Chiefs win plenty of games by a field goal or less. There’s potential for a high score with this game considering the sheer offensive talent involved, but I’d bank on both defenses keeping things tight.

Wes’ pick: Chiefs 27, Vikings 24