5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Week 9
By Chris Schad
Minnesota’s defense will collect more than five sacks
One of the marquee matchups to watch on the defensive side of the ball will be Danielle Hunter going up against Mitchell Schwartz.
Schwartz has been one of the top tackles in the NFL since coming over to Kansas City and according to Pro Football Focus, he’s allowed just 10 quarterback pressures all season. With Hunter leading the Vikings in sacks with eight, this will be a battle that should be the unstoppable force against the immovable object.
Outside of Schwartz, however, the Kansas City offensive line seems ripe for the picking. Eric Fisher missed last week’s game against Green Bay with a groin injury and those that remain on the line have struggled this season. Cam Erving, Martinas Rankin, Austin Reiter, and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif are all backups and even though they may get guard Andrew Wylie back from an ankle injury, this is a line that is crumbling at the seams.
Even if Hunter is held in check by Schwartz, the Vikings have the personnel to get to Matt Moore on Sunday. Everson Griffen has looked like himself in the first half of the season and Linval Joseph should be able to continue his rebound season in the middle against the patchwork unit of the Chiefs. Mix in Eric Kendricks, who is playing at an All-Pro level in the first half of the year, and it could be a long day for the Chiefs’ offense.