6 takeaways from the Vikings Week 9 loss to the Chiefs

Something has to change with Elflein

Pat Elflein’s transition from center to left guard was assumed by many to be something that would come without many problems. After all, Elflein had experience with playing guard during his college days at Ohio State, so most figured he would be fine with the position change this season.

However, his experience as a guard hasn’t proven to be much help so far this year. During the Vikings’ first eight games, Elflein had already given up a total of 4.25 sacks and on Sunday, he added another to that number.

He has done pretty well as a run-blocker this season, but his liability as a pass-protector is starting to make it seem like he’s not worth keeping on the field.

Some of the sacks Elflein has allowed this year haven’t even been a result of a missed assignment or anything like that. There a few where he’s just been straight-up, overpowered by an opposing pass-rusher and pushed back into the face of Kirk Cousins.

It may seem a little too late in the season for Minnesota to bench Elflein and find someone else to be their starting left guard. But his play is starting to give the Vikings no other choice.