There are three reasons to believe that the Vikings will defeat the Chiefs in Week 5.

After securing a crucial victory in Carolina, the Minnesota Vikings return home to take on the Kansas City Chiefs, the reigning Super Bowl champions. Can they succeed in the surprise?

The Minnesota Vikings welcome Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to town in what could be their toughest test of the year in an effort to move closer to a 3-3 record before their Monday night matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.

There isn’t much reason to be optimistic about the Vikings’ performance on Sunday, but stranger things have happened.

Concerns have been raised about Kirk Cousins’ performance in their win over the Carolina Panthers last week, Minnesota’s offensive line, and how they will handle Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones.

Teams have little margin for error when playing the Chiefs, and thus far this season, the Vikings have yet to play a game without committing a turnover.
Minnesota’s chances of defeating the defending Super Bowl champions depend on how well they play.

If the Vikings succeed, it may very well be a victory that defines their season.

Let’s examine a few reasons why Minnesota ought to be able to beat Mahomes, the “Swifties,” and the Chiefs on Sunday, despite their difficulties this season.

Object no.
1.

Marcus Davenport AND Danielle Hunter.

Last Sunday, Marcus Davenport’s performance calmed almost all Vikings supporters.
Many people questioned the signing of Davenport after he played sparingly in Minnesota’s Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and was inactive in Weeks 1 and 3.

In the Vikings’ 21-13 victory over the Panthers last week, Davenport recorded one sack, one tackle for a loss, and four tackles. A healthy Davenport could truly make a difference for Minnesota’s defense under Brian Flores.

In this particular matchup, as the Chiefs’ offensive tackles have struggled this season, the tandem of Danielle Hunter and Davenport has the ability to turn a game on its head.

Bull rush specialists Hunter and Davenport have a good chance on Sunday to derail Patrick Mahomes’ performance.

Without a doubt, Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores will employ a strategy similar to the one used by the New York Jets in their three-point loss to Kansas City on Sunday night.

Object no.
2.

The rushing offense of Minnesota.

Alexander Mattison of the Vikings, who gained 95 yards on 17 carries in the team’s victory over Carolina in Week 4, received the majority of the team’s carries.

However, it appeared that the offense was more cohesive when Cam Akers, the new Vikings running back, was on the field against the Panthers.
Akers completed the game with seven touches for a total of 51 yards (11 receiving, 40 rushing).

The Chiefs’ defense, outside of Chris Jones, has had its share of issues dating all the way back to Week 1 against the Detroit Lions, despite allowing just 104 yards per game on the ground this season.

Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson will be able to take advantage of opportunities in the passing game if Minnesota can maintain its consistency in the run game.

For the Vikings offense in a game that is likely to be a shootout, a good combination of Akers and Mattison can be very beneficial.

I don’t.
3.

Kirk Cousins will recover.

Last Sunday, Kirk Cousins struggled against a lackluster Panthers defense.
There is no escape from it.
On the opening drive of the game, he threw a poor pass in the end zone that resulted in a 99-yard pick-six.
He finished the game with only 139 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and two interceptions.

With the way Cousins has played this season, it is difficult to imagine him having back-to-back bad performances.

Through four weeks, Cousins is third in yards and first in passing touchdowns in the league.
He is still on track to have his best season statistically of his career.