Minnesota Vikings: 3 Players that must shine vs. Chiefs in Week 9
3. Vikings defense
The first portion of the Minnesota Vikings squad that will have to step up and shine on the road in Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs is the Vikings dominant defense. So far in 2019, Minnesota’s defensive unit has once again established itself as one of the top groups in the NFL to this point, but it will have a tough test against a top-notch Kansas City offense on Sunday afternoon.
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The biggest factor in the game will be whether or not Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be able to suit up and start for Kansas City. The young quarterback and former MVP has had another impressive start to the season so far this year, but missed Kansas City’s last contest against Green Bay in Week 8 while recovering from a knee injury he suffered in the previous game.
Mahomes is ahead of schedule in terms of his recovery, which was originally thought to be a three-week recovery period, and could start for the Chiefs on Sunday against the Vikings.
If that is the case, Minnesota’s defense will have to set the tone early and try and force Kansas City into either a few turnovers in the first few quarters or empty possessions on the offensive end of the ball to try and set the Vikings offense up to grab an early lead on the road.
If the Vikings are able to hold the high-powered Chiefs offense in check for the most part, Minnesota could set itself up to grab its third road victory of the year while improving to 7-2 on the season and see its winning streak expand to five games in a row in Week 9.