Former Vikings draft pick clinches a playoff spot for the Chiefs

Former Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon scored the game-winning touchdown for the Kansas City Chiefs in their Week 15 victory over the Houston Texans.

Up against the possible embarrassment of losing to a one-win Houston Texans team on Sunday, former Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon saved the Kansas City Chiefs from a disaster when he ran 26 yards for a game-winning touchdown on the final play of the contest.

The Texans were actually able to take the Chiefs to overtime on Sunday. But McKinnon made sure that Kansas City escaped the field with their 11th victory of the season.

With the win, the Chiefs not only clinched a spot in the playoffs for the eighth year in a row, but they also won the AFC West for the seventh season in a row.

Former Minnesota Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon shines for Kansas City Chiefs in win over Houston Texans

Originally selected by the Vikings in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft, McKinnon played a huge role for Kansas City during their win over Houston on Sunday.

The former Minnesota running back finished with 122 total yards and two touchdowns on 18 touches in the Chiefs’ victory over the Texans. For McKinnon, he’s now found the end zone at least once in each of Kansas City’s last three games.

Currently 30-years-old, the veteran running back spent the first four seasons of his NFL career in a Vikings uniform. McKinnon’s best year in Minnesota was in 2017 when he finished with 991 total yards and five touchdowns, which played a significant role in the purple and gold being able to reach the NFC Championship that season.

Through the first 14 games of the 2022 campaign, McKinnon leads all Chiefs running backs in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.