The Kansas City Chiefs will try to win their second game of the 2015 National Football League regular season on Sunday afternoon against the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota is 2-2 after a BYE week, and is hoping to draw closer to an NFC wild card spot. For the Chiefs, it is about being respectable for the first time in over a month.
TV: CBS
Time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Broadcasters: Greg Gumbel and Trent Green
Online: NFL Sunday Ticket MAX (subscription required)
Mobile: Verizon Mobile (subscription required)
Kansas City is playing without superstar running back Jamaal Charles, who tore his ACL against the Chicago Bears and will miss the rest of the season. Charles will be replaced by Charcandrick West, who showed some ability in the preseason. Knile Davis will also see an increased workload, after being almost non-existent in the first five games.
Tamba Hali is questionable with a knee injury, while inside linebacker Josh Mauga (heel) and nose tackle Dontari Poe (high ankle sprain) have already been ruled out. Poe has not been productive throughout his valiant attempt to play so soon after back surgery. His spot will be taken by Jaye Howard, who will anchor a line with Mike DeVito and Allen Bailey. In Mauga’s spot will be rookie linebacker Ramik Wilson, who has looked good in limited action.
Kansas City absolutely has to win this game to have any playoff hope. The next two games are home dates against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions at London. Both of those contests are winnable, but they mean precious little should the Chiefs lose another contest today.