The Kansas City Chiefs faced the Minnesota Vikings on October 8 in Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season. Here are takeaways and highlights from the game.
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Final Score: Kansas City Chiefs 27, Minnesota Vikings 20
Despite the win, it was not all sunshine and roses for the Chiefs. The Vikings made them earn the victory and might have been able to force overtime if they had only had a timeout or two at the end of the game. As it played out, the Chiefs were able to hold on and win 27-20.
The Chiefs struggled slightly against the Vikings in the first half of the game. Both Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were limping at various times of the game. Justyn Ross made some great catches, but he also dropped some. Rashee Rice looked good as he found the endzone and made a pivotal catch to extend a drive for the Chiefs late in the game. With all the offensive miscues still happening, the defense for the Chiefs came through when needed the most.
Kirk Cousins is not the main problem with the Vikings team. He has put up great stats in each game, yet he and his teammates have had difficulty getting the job done. A fumble here, a turnover there. It is not enough to get the victory over a team like the Chiefs. The defense for the Chiefs did a great job of getting to Cousins when they blitzed. Minnesota also lost Justin Jefferson early in the 4th quarter. That certainly did not help the Vikings offense. The Vikings can move the ball, but they have a difficult time finishing.
Of course, there were some interesting calls or non-calls by the refs. There still needs to be consistency in calls. Are the Chiefs benefiting? Most non-Chiefs fans think so. However, in the game, the Chiefs were penalized ten times. It is not the fault of the Chiefs that the refs are not calling or missing penalties.
Highlights
“He fumbles the ball and the script continues! [The Minnesota Vikings] have been a DISASTER in the first quarter this year! Coughing up and turning over the football! And it starts today on the very first play of the game!”- Jim Nantz pic.twitter.com/X7odZMz51e
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 8, 2023
Had ’em fooled 😂
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/gsWMU4CZYp
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 8, 2023
WE SEE YOU JWAT. pic.twitter.com/VeEVqA8cyu
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 8, 2023
RICE RICE BABY‼️ pic.twitter.com/4qhlIQtVPa
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 8, 2023
Looking Forward
The Chiefs have a short week as they face off on Thursday against their division rival, the Denver Broncos. Despite how poor the Broncos have been all season, they always tend to play up when they face the Chiefs. Given how the Chiefs have been playing, a win is not guaranteed, even if they are at Arrowhead.
The Vikings will be on the road traveling to Chicago to face a division rival of theirs, the Bears. Both teams have had a not-so-great season and have the same record. Whoever loses will be at the bottom of the division, and another loss will make the hopes of a playoff bid drift further away.
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