3 silver linings from the Vikings’ loss to the Chiefs in Week 9

Domination by the defensive line

Minnesota’s defense, as a whole, didn’t have their best game against the Chiefs. The secondary couldn’t slow down speedy Kansas City receiver Tyreek Hill and the linebackers over-persued and allowed the Chiefs to score on a 91-yard touchdown run. But the Vikings’ defensive line did everything they could to keep their team in the game, especially late.

Even before the impressive late performance, Minnesota’s defensive line was able to get consistent pressure on Kansas City quarterback Matt Moore. Plenty of times he was hit as he was throwing, but somehow the ball still went where it was supposed to. Moore lucked out, and the Vikings weren’t rewarded for the pressure they were able to apply.

Where Minnesota’s line stood out the most was towards the end of the game. It wasn’t just the studs either. Ifeadi Odenigbo played out of his head and Jaleel Johnson even got in on the action with half a sack.

It was a great effort from the Vikings’ defensive line across the board. They were able to get to Moore when the Chiefs were trying to get back into the game. The play of the defensive line was also key in forcing a late punt that gave Minnesota’s offense the ball back with about seven minutes to go.

Unfortunately, the Vikings’ offense squandered the chance and even then it wasn’t too late. The defensive line rose up again and was in the face of Moore late in the matchup, causing the Chiefs to settle for a game-tying field goal.

After Minnesota’s offense sputtered yet again, Britton Colquitt badly shanked a punt. This put the Kansas City in field goal range from the start of their drive.

However, the Vikings’ defensive line, once again, rose to the challenge and hit Moore and made him lose the football on their very first play of the drive. The Chiefs were able to recover the ball, but the sequence moved them way back and it made the field goal attempt much longer. Unfortunately, Harrison Butker still went on to hit his field goal attempt for Kansas City as time expired and he is probably still celebrating.

Minnesota’s defense wasn’t great against the Chiefs, but the defensive line has to be given credit for the effort they put forth late in the game. They kept the Vikings alive when the offense continued to kill their chances to pull away.