In a game whose greatest variable remains an injury to Chief’s QB and league MVP Patrick Mahomes, NFL scribes, talking heads, and lowly V61 contributors are going ahead and calling the contest.



Adam Teicher, ESPN:



“Bold prediction: Minnesota will tie its previous best effort against the run recorded on Dec. 31, 2017, when it held the Bears to 30 rushing yards. Andy Reid has been able to hide the weakness of his running game for some time now, but that ends this week against a stout Vikings defense.”



Vikings 27, Chiefs 24



Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk:



“Even without a healthy Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs are a pretty good team. I think they’re good enough to put a half to the Vikings impressive run.”



Chiefs 24, Vikings 21



Becca Murphy, The V61:



“The Chiefs pass rush is an underrated one. They got to Aaron Rodgers last week five times. I think Kirk Cousins will struggle in this one. I also think Steve Spanuolo (KC defensive coordinator) has a wrinkle in store for Vikings’ run game. A close one goes to the home crowd.”



Chiefs 24, Vikings 20



Staff, Bleacher Report:



“Don’t forget that the Chiefs weren’t playing well even before Mahomes suffered that knee injury. They’re 1-3 at home, and injuries to Chris Jones, Kendall Fuller, Frank Clark, Alex Okafor, Bashaud Breeland and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif all count for something. Meanwhile, with Adam Thielen possibly returning, the Vikings are extremely healthy. These two teams are just on different levels right now.”



Vikings 27, Chiefs 21



Courtney Cronin, ESPN:



“What to watch for: Dalvin Cook leads the NFL in rushing, and the Chiefs have allowed more yards on the ground than all but two other teams, both of which are winless. So, Kansas City faces a big challenge, and likely without any of its regular starting defensive linemen. Quarterback Matt Moore was impressive in his Chiefs starting debut last week, but the Vikings, who are fifth in the league in total defense, are an upgrade in competition.”



Vikings 28, Chiefs 26



Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk:



“If the Vikings are going to have a special season they need to win this game. Spoiler: The Vikings are not going to have a special season.”



Chiefs 24, Vikings 20



Tadd Haislop, Sporting News:



“This game is tough to pick for the same reason the opening line was late to be released: It completely depends on whether Patrick Mahomes plays. With or without their star quarterback, though, the Chiefs will have big problems against the Vikings rushing attack. Minnesota also has the NFL’s third-ranked scoring defense, and even Mahomes would be in for a tough day. Ultimately, with Kansas City not getting any pressure from its rivals in the division standings, it still has no reason to rush Mahomes back before he’s ready to play.”



Vikings 27, Chiefs 20



Jark Townes, The V61:



“Once again. A team ranked 30th in both rushing yards allowed and per carry rush average cannot compete with another who clearly shows they can run–and run/pass–with great selection. Vikings go back to the 60’s in Arrowhead and use Dalvin Cook and Alex Mattison to tire out a team without solid balance when it comes to talent.”



Vikings 27, Chiefs 17



Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com:



“The Chiefs will have four home losses in early November unless they pull off the upset with Matt Moore expected to be behind center Sunday. This is not a death knell to Kansas City’s title hopes, but the chances of another AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead – or even a Divisional Round game at home – get thornier by the week. The Vikings also cannot afford to lose ground in an NFC North that increasingly looks like a two-team race, with the loser facing a brutal path to the Super Bowl. The NFL has been so much worse without Patrick Mahomes the last two weeks that it’s jarring.”



Vikings 26, Chiefs 21



Pete Prisco, CBS Sports:



“The Chiefs have lost three straight at home and will almost certainly be without Patrick Mahomes here. That means Matt Moore again. He was solid last week against the Packers, but Minnesota will put up a stiffer defensive challenge. The Vikings will win a tough road game.”



Vikings 27, Chiefs 23



CONSENSUS:



Vikings 25, Chiefs 20

