Vikings vs. Chiefs: Kirk Cousins is red hot and other things to know
The Vikings have elite edge rushers
I’ll wager that this will not be music to the ears of Chiefs fans, and could possibly prevent Mahomes from returning on Sunday, but the Vikings have some pretty productive pass rushers. They’re currently tied for eighth in the league in sacks with 23 total and 18 of those have come against non-divisional opponents.
In particular, the Chiefs offensive line is going to have their hands full with Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffin. Danielle Hunter is having a monster season so far having generated the third most sacks in the league with eight, the third most tackles for loss with 11, and has added 13 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles to that line.
Griffin isn’t quite the force that Hunter has been this season, but he will be a handful for whoever is tasked with shutting him down. Through eight games he has a respectable 4.5 sacks, has five tackles for loss, and has tied Hunter with 13 quarterback hits.
The Chiefs have struggled to protect this season and will have one of their biggest challenges this Sunday. Hopefully the Chiefs can get back a few of their missing starters on the offensive line, because regardless of who is starting under center they are going to need all the help they can get.
Brett Veach should start to get credit for this year’s draft
For what it’s worth, Brett Veach should start to get some credit for this year’s draft class. Mecole Hardman has shown some serious flashes in multiple games including the Packers game, and is currently the teams third highest rated wide receiver at 69.1. According to Pro Football Focus, Sammy Watkins barely edges him out at 69.7. Reid has done exactly what Reid does with dynamic athletes at receiver and has found ways to embarrass defenses with Hardman’s track speed.
That’s not all. It turns out that Juan Thornhill has been just what the doctor ordered at free safety. Through eight games Thornhill has put up some impressive numbers in coverage, allowing only 0.09 yards per coverage snap which is number one for all players with 300 or more snaps in coverage. As we’ve seen the last few games, his speed has allowed Spagnuolo to play more single safety concepts leading to more defenders in the box and improvements against the run.
Last but not least, backflipping defensive lineman Khalen Saunders has started to look like he belongs on the NFL level. During the preseason, and the parts of the early season he had the opportunity to play, Saunders looked like an FCS product who needed a year to develop. He seemed to lack the ideal strength for the position and struggled with establishing leverage in the run game. The last two games he’s looked like a different player, and looks to be a key factor in the Chiefs improving defense.
I haven’t even mentioned Rashad Fenton who has looked quite capable as a slot corner in spurts, and Darwin Thompson who has shown tremendous ability but needs to develop his pass protection. This looks to be a healthy draft class, hopefully the first of many for Brett Veach. He should deservedly start getting some credit for it.