3 Vikings matchups to watch in Week 9 vs. the Chiefs
By Chris Schad
Vikings running game vs. Chiefs run defense
One of the biggest factors that will determine if the Vikings will come out of Arrowhead Stadium alive is if they can get their running game going. So far, this has not been a problem for Minnesota, who feature the league’s leading rusher in Dalvin Cook (823 yards this season) and the NFL’s second-ranked rushing offense behind the Baltimore Ravens.
While the Vikings’ run game has been the foundation of the top-ranked offense in the league (in terms of total offense), the Chiefs defense has left a lot to be desired.
Entering Sunday’s game, Kansas City allowed an average of 145 rushing yards per game and they rank 31st in the NFL in rushing defense behind the winless Cincinnati Bengals. While they have had Patrick Mahomes to help ease the sting of being gored on the ground, that didn’t happen in Week 8 as the Chiefs allowed 118 yards on the ground in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
That doesn’t just mean Kansas City struggles with stopping opposing running backs on the ground. The Chiefs have also struggled to stop running backs in the passing game as well with Aaron Jones‘ monster performance last week (seven catches, 159 yards, two touchdowns) being the latest back to be involved on both fronts.
With Cook being a multi-faceted back with 29 catches for 293 yards this season, this should be a game where the Vikings should dominate up front and they might even leave some meat on the bone for Alexander Mattison.