Are you ready for some Chiefs football?
Like the past three seasons, the Chiefs Wire staff will offer its weekly predictions for each Chiefs game. Here are our picks for Kansas City’s Week 9 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Charles Goldman’s pick: Chiefs win 31-23
Season record: 4-4
Twitter: @goldmctNFL
I don’t expect Chiefs starting QB Patrick Mahomes to play and I’m still taking Kansas City this week. Matt Moore put up a solid performance last week and I’m convinced had they not been playing an elite quarterback in Aaron Rodgers the Chiefs would have won that game handily.
I think the key to this one is that Kansas City can play this game just like they played the Broncos game. They’ll keep the base defense on the field against heavy personnel to stop the run, send some extra pressure against Kirk Cousins and force the QB to beat you through the air. I do believe the Vikings will put up a little more of a fight than the Denver did but the end result will be the same.
Wesley Roesch’s pick: Chiefs win 31-30
Season record: 7-1
Twitter: @WesleyRoesch
I may be taking a risk here, but I’m taking the Chiefs regardless of whether Patrick Mahomes plays. I saw enough from Matt Moore last week to realize that Kansas City and Andy Reid are good enough to compete with anyone. There was only one reason the Chiefs ultimately lost last week: Aaron Rodgers. Thankfully, Kirk Cousins is not Aaron Rodgers.
Now, Cousins has had a good season and has even played well against the blitz. Still, I don’t think he makes some of the crazy (dare I say lucky) throws that Rodgers made last week. Also, the Chiefs defense has somewhat turned a corner thanks to creative blitzes and good coverage. I think the defense gets after Cousins and disrupts him enough for the offense to do its thing.
Nicolas Roesch’s pick: Chiefs win 27-24
Season record: 7-1
Twitter: @Nicolas_Roesch
I’m not sure if we know who the real Vikings are. They have a lot of talent across the board, but they’ve played a pretty weak schedule. Their defense has an excellent pair of pass rushers in Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen, but the secondary is suspect. I think that the Chiefs can put up points on the Minnesota defense regardless of who starts at quarterback.
Dalvin Cook is quickly becoming one of the best running backs in the NFL and he’s going to be productive in this game. The key for the Chiefs’ defense will be to continue to be aggressive by forcing negative plays. It has to make Kirk Cousins beat them on second and third and long. I’m not sure that he can and I think the Kansas City defense will make enough plays to secure a win.
John Dillon’s pick: Vikings win 32-17
Season record: 6-2
Twitter: @TheJohnDillon
Though these predictions will ultimately be decided by whether Patrick Mahomes plays or not, the Chiefs’ Week 9 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings will serve as a real litmus test for a Kansas City defense that has a lot to prove, especially against the run.
With Dalvin Cook leading the league in both rushing yards and touchdowns, and Kirk Cousins in the upper crust of the NFL’s passing categories, this Vikings team has the potential to do major damage if they aren’t given their due credit in game planning.
On offense, the zeitgeist in Kansas City is squarely centered around Patrick Mahomes, and for good reason. Without their star quarterback last week they lost a nail-biter to a solid Packers squad in a game where the defense let the game slip through their hands on a few outstanding plays by Aaron Rodgers.
This week’s prediction is tough because the Chiefs haven’t said who their starting quarterback will be. It’s ultimately a toss-up, but I’ll take Minnesota 32-17 over Kansas City, with a prediction within the prediction that Mahomes will not play.
Vinciane Ngomsi’s pick: Chiefs win 35-31
Season record: 6-2
Twitter: @VincianeNgomsi
Barring Patrick Mahomes sitting out one more week, Kansas City should win this at home. Much like the games played against other AFC North opponents, it won’t be easy. The Vikings have won their last four contests, and they could make a statement with win number five at Arrowhead. Kirk Cousins doesn’t look that bad anymore and Stefan Diggs is hungry for an extension. That being said, expect him to likely have a game for the record books. Both teams have a lot to play for, but Kansas City’s misfortunes with injuries make them a lot more vulnerable.
Unlike last week, I’d like Patrick Mahomes to return under center on Sunday. It’s painfully obvious that Kansas City’s offense revolves around him and another week of the camera incessantly showing him on the sidelines reacting to each play is not an enjoyable time for either side. If the odds are against his favor for a second week, Matt Moore’s second game as a starter will probably go better than his first. The responsibility (again) will be on the Chiefs defense to stop Dalvin Cook, who is having an incredible season leading the pack on rushing. If that remains the case, let’s hope Kansas City spent the week learning from last Sunday’s mistakes on how to stop the run game.
Danilo Di Julio’s pick: Chiefs win 31-21
Season record: 5-3
Twitter: @ThunderDan88
The Chiefs were two dropped interceptions and a fumble away from defeating the Green Bay Packers, despite spotting them a 14-0 lead. This might be the second full week of Matt Moore getting the lion’s share of starting reps. He’s already played commendably considering he was coaching high school football 10 weeks ago. Although the Kansas City defense faces another great running back in Dalvin Cook, the Vikings do not have Aaron Rodgers, they have Kirk Cousins. I believe the defense will take another step forward and the offense will do enough to defeat the Vikings. Chiefs win by 10.
Talon Graff’s pick: Vikings win 34-31
Season record: 6-2
Twitter: @CoachGraff34
The Chiefs face yet another test as the 5th toughest schedule in the NFL has seemed to prove itself true. The Minnesota Vikings, winners of their last four games, roll into town amazingly healthy. With only three players listed on their Week 9 injury report, two of which were full participants, the Vikings seem to have all the firepower they need. Kirk Cousins has had a bit of a redeeming year so far with 1,997 yards while throwing 13 touchdowns to only three interceptions. He has once again found a really nice rhythm with Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, the latter being the only questionable injury for the Vikes.
Dalvin Cook is the man who everything else appears to derive from though. The third-year running back from Florida State is having a career year as he currently sits atop the rushing list. Running behind one of the best offensive line units in the league, Cook has been able to put up some impressive numbers thus far. He has proven that he can cause damage as a receiving threat as well. In order for the Chiefs to not have Deja Vu moments of Aaron Jones, they have to gameplan accordingly. More zone coverage in situations where Cook is a likely target or possibly sacrificing some blitz opportunities to help contain the big plays. Overall this should be a competitive contest and one that the Arrowhead crowd should be excited to see. Matt Moore and the offense needs to come out of the gate with a little more oomph than last week. That is, of course, if Patrick Mahomes is still in street clothes.
Kevin Scott’s pick: Chiefs win 26-23
Season record: 7-1
Twitter: @KevinScottFF
The Chiefs get another formidable opponent this week. The Vikings rank in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, meaning there is no easy way to beat them. The best the Chiefs can hope to do is to slow the Vikings’ offense down with well-timed, disguised blitzes and to hit on some big plays against their defense.
The key to beating the Vikings might be to get out to an early lead. In Week 2, the Packers beat them by getting out to an early 21-0 lead in the first half. They then rode that lead until the end, winning 21-16. Similarly, in the Vikings’ other loss against the Bears, the Bears got up 16-0 before the Vikings finally got on the board in the 4th quarter. The Vikings are built to control the clock and the line of scrimmage and grind out victories in an old-fashioned way. Since they are not built to come from behind, the way to beat them is to strike early.
Whether the Chiefs will be able to do that depends on many factors, but the most crucial factor is whether or not Mahomes plays. Obviously, his presence would greatly improve the offense overall and would increase the chances of getting a win. However, even with Moore, the Chiefs are capable of winning this game. They just need a big performance from their defense again, and they need fewer mistakes on offense.
If I’m Andy Reid, I emphasize the importance of being ahead at the half. He might even go against the grain of his normal practice and choose to receive the first half kickoff. I think the Chiefs feel desperate enough for a victory that they find a way to get it done this week.
Ed Easton’s pick: Chiefs win 38-35 (OT)
Season record: 7-1
Twitter: @EdEastonJr
This week’s matchup with the Minnesota Vikings will be another back and forth game that will test the Chiefs defense. Kirk Cousins has had Minnesota streaking as of late with his impressive play and will need his confidence shaken from the start by the Chiefs defense. The arrowhead crowd will be a factor as the Chiefs haven’t had much success in front of the home crowd.
The Chiefs offense will continue to evolve under Matt Moore, and Travis Kelce is due for a big game. The combination of Kelce and essential running contributions from LeSean McCoy and Damien Williams will keep the Chiefs aggressive throughout the day. The game will go to overtime, and the Chiefs defense will come up with the critical plays after a game-clinching field goal. The Chiefs finally end their home losing streak and get back into the winner’s circle.
Mitch Carney’s pick: Chiefs win 27-19
Season record: 6-2
Twitter: @MitchMitchcar11
The Chiefs were only a few lucky plays away from getting a win against the Packers even without multiple starters on both sides of the ball. That gives me confidence that they can beat the Vikings this Sunday. Kansas City showed that they can win with Matt Moore and with the potential return of a couple starters including Chris Jones. The addition of Jones is huge as he will be adding to a surprisingly good pass rush the past two weeks, so hopefully, he and the others get to Kirk Cousins and throw him off his game. The biggest question will be if the Chiefs will be able to slow down Dalvin Cook, but I think after getting torched by Aaron Jones last week Steve Spagnuolo will have a better game plan to slow down the NFL’s leading rusher.
