Chiefs at Vikings Depth Chart Preview 2023
Oct 6, 2023 19:51:44 GMT -6
Reignman and Funkytown like this
Post by Danchat on Oct 6, 2023 19:51:44 GMT -6
After finally winning a game, the Vikings enter this game desperate to avoid 1-4. Can they topple the reigning Super Bowl champs and reestablish themselves in the NFC playoff race? Let's see how the Chiefs stack up.
Line: Chiefs -3.5
Super Sim Calculated line: Chiefs -3.6
Injury Report
Chiefs
DE Dickerson - Questionable
LB Bolton - Questionable
T Morris - Questionable
Vikings
LB Asamoah - Questionable
S Cine - Questionable
OLB Davenport - Questionable
QB Mullens - Questionable
*My Thoughts*
Mahomes may not be setting the world on fire with his play so far this year, but it's understandable with the deficiencies surrounding him. The Chiefs are relying on a some questionable WRs and are rotating through all of them to see if any catch on. So far MVS has been as inconsistent as ever but will catch a deep ball every once in a while, Moore has proven to be unproductive, Rice looks promising but is still raw, Watson is Just A Guy, and Toney is ultra-talented but a total headcase. So much relies on Travis Kelce, and he's still very good, but they need more. They use a lot of 2 TE sets with Gray to offset their incompetent WRs.
The Chiefs can run the ball if they choose to - Pacheco is a legitimate threat who just put up 148 total yards on a very good Jets defense. If their OL run blocks well, they could do some damage. McKinnon has some ability left in the passing game but is about as bad as it gets in between the tackles, and CEH is a bust who appears to be the one guy in the legendary LSU offense who didn't pan out in the NFL.
Speaking of the OL, the Chiefs have the inverse unit of the Vikings - strong interior, weak tackles. Donovan Smith is past his prime and is struggling as a run blocker, but can still hold up against the past. Jawaan Taylor has been an unmitigated disaster after the Chiefs handed him $20M APY, and cannot stop causing false starts. Thuney and Humphrey are studs, while Smith is not on their level but still a quality guard.
Defensively, the Chiefs are playing well and have a lot of young talent is blooming. Starting on the DL, Chris Jones has picked up right where he left off with 3.5 sacks in 3 games. Second year 1st rounder Karlaftis is beginning to turn things around after a rough rookie year, while Danna was a 5th rounder who has turned into a capable starter. The DTs aside Jones have poor PFF grades, and could a weak spot to run at.
This LB unit is very impressive. They've turned two 2nd rounders in Bolton and Gay into capable players, with Bolton taking a big step up in 2022 as an all-rounded LB while Gay is more of a cover LB. They got Tranquill on a cheap deal and like Gay he is better in the pass game. They have also played Chenal, a 2022 3rd rounder who has solid numbers in his first few starts.
The Chiefs also boast a solid DB unit. McDuffie has stolen the show lately and appears to be living up to his comparison to Jaire Alexander as a prospect, while Sneed is the veteran of the unit and like Byron Murphy plays in the slot in 3CB sets. Williams and Watson have filled in as the third CBs and have been fine, but can be picked on successfully. Onto the safeties, Reid has had his ups and downs in his career and has settled in as a decent player against the run and pass. 2022 2nd rounder Bryan Cook has struggled so far, having issues with missed tackles and can be picked on in coverage.
Prediction: Chiefs 34, Vikings 26
The Chiefs are not as sharp as they were last year, but I think their offense can do what the Eagles and Chargers did to this defense. Mahomes thrives against the blitz and can hit open receivers, and they have the ability to take advantage in the run game by feeding Pacheco. Defensively this unit will give the Vikings some headaches but I do think the Vikings will be able to put up some points on them as they haven't faced an offense with the weapons we do.
Any thoughts?
Line: Chiefs -3.5
Super Sim Calculated line: Chiefs -3.6
Injury Report
Chiefs
DE Dickerson - Questionable
LB Bolton - Questionable
T Morris - Questionable
Vikings
LB Asamoah - Questionable
S Cine - Questionable
OLB Davenport - Questionable
QB Mullens - Questionable
*My Thoughts*
Mahomes may not be setting the world on fire with his play so far this year, but it's understandable with the deficiencies surrounding him. The Chiefs are relying on a some questionable WRs and are rotating through all of them to see if any catch on. So far MVS has been as inconsistent as ever but will catch a deep ball every once in a while, Moore has proven to be unproductive, Rice looks promising but is still raw, Watson is Just A Guy, and Toney is ultra-talented but a total headcase. So much relies on Travis Kelce, and he's still very good, but they need more. They use a lot of 2 TE sets with Gray to offset their incompetent WRs.
The Chiefs can run the ball if they choose to - Pacheco is a legitimate threat who just put up 148 total yards on a very good Jets defense. If their OL run blocks well, they could do some damage. McKinnon has some ability left in the passing game but is about as bad as it gets in between the tackles, and CEH is a bust who appears to be the one guy in the legendary LSU offense who didn't pan out in the NFL.
Speaking of the OL, the Chiefs have the inverse unit of the Vikings - strong interior, weak tackles. Donovan Smith is past his prime and is struggling as a run blocker, but can still hold up against the past. Jawaan Taylor has been an unmitigated disaster after the Chiefs handed him $20M APY, and cannot stop causing false starts. Thuney and Humphrey are studs, while Smith is not on their level but still a quality guard.
Defensively, the Chiefs are playing well and have a lot of young talent is blooming. Starting on the DL, Chris Jones has picked up right where he left off with 3.5 sacks in 3 games. Second year 1st rounder Karlaftis is beginning to turn things around after a rough rookie year, while Danna was a 5th rounder who has turned into a capable starter. The DTs aside Jones have poor PFF grades, and could a weak spot to run at.
This LB unit is very impressive. They've turned two 2nd rounders in Bolton and Gay into capable players, with Bolton taking a big step up in 2022 as an all-rounded LB while Gay is more of a cover LB. They got Tranquill on a cheap deal and like Gay he is better in the pass game. They have also played Chenal, a 2022 3rd rounder who has solid numbers in his first few starts.
The Chiefs also boast a solid DB unit. McDuffie has stolen the show lately and appears to be living up to his comparison to Jaire Alexander as a prospect, while Sneed is the veteran of the unit and like Byron Murphy plays in the slot in 3CB sets. Williams and Watson have filled in as the third CBs and have been fine, but can be picked on successfully. Onto the safeties, Reid has had his ups and downs in his career and has settled in as a decent player against the run and pass. 2022 2nd rounder Bryan Cook has struggled so far, having issues with missed tackles and can be picked on in coverage.
Prediction: Chiefs 34, Vikings 26
The Chiefs are not as sharp as they were last year, but I think their offense can do what the Eagles and Chargers did to this defense. Mahomes thrives against the blitz and can hit open receivers, and they have the ability to take advantage in the run game by feeding Pacheco. Defensively this unit will give the Vikings some headaches but I do think the Vikings will be able to put up some points on them as they haven't faced an offense with the weapons we do.
Any thoughts?
... and neither is this Chris guy.