Vikings Defense Close But Not Opportunistic Enough to Beat Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes

To stop Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, the Vikings defense was close but not opportunistic enough.

Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ starting quarterback, frequently finds a way even when it seems impossible.

The Vikings’ loss to Kansas City on Sunday, 27-20, was influenced by two different gotta-have-it circumstances. The first occurred when Kansas City faced a third-and-18 from its own 17, opening the second half.
Whereas most quarterbacks would struggle, Minnesota had Mahomes.

but not the current MVP.
Instead, with numerous defenders flooding the pocket, Mahomes launched a 33-yard bomb off his back foot.
The ball barely avoided Camryn Bynum’s leaping fingertips before landing in Justin Watson, the receiver.

Mahomes’ first of two touchdown passes came eight plays later, giving Kansas City a 20-13 lead.

“The strategy was excellent. It was just a matter of us carrying it out,” Bynum said.
Coach put us in a great spot to make plays like the one I just made. I was in a fantastic place.
To make my jump better, I ought to have taken one more step.
I rose too soon as the ball approached. I made a mistake there because the ball sailed right over my hand as I was coming down.
“.

The Vikings frequently end up on the wrong side of a fingertip play, reminiscent of Akayleb Evans’ nearly interception-turned-touchdown against the Chargers in Week 3 of the season.

Bynum claimed that he was the only one at fault.

Bynum said, “I gotta take full responsibility for that, knowing I got to better-time my jump.”.
“Something so basic changed the course of the game.
“.

Following a slightly underthrown fourth-and-one attempt on a long ball intended for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, safety Harrison Smith was called for pass interference. Minnesota would have gained control at midfield and had a chance to tie the game if Kansas City had not succeeded in converting the low-probability throw.

Instead, the Chiefs increased their lead to two scores after adding a touchdown five plays later on a 4-yard catch by Travis Kelce from Mahomes. The scoring drive lasted more than six minutes, covered 74 yards, and required 11 plays.

All we have to do is create the plays that already exist. That has sort of been the theme,” Smith said.
“We’ve done a lot of good things, but fourth-and-one, if I can play it better, but I get a penalty there, and those are game-changing plays.
“.

However, the Vikings’ defense made enough plays in the final frame to secure the victory.
The final 15 minutes saw Kansas City pick up just 38 yards.
In addition to failing on all three of their third down attempts, the Chiefs were forced to punt twice in the fourth quarter.

In an effort to protect their one-point fourth-quarter lead, the Chiefs tried to run the ball and run out the clock.
A third-and-1 rush, which was unsuccessful, was stopped by the Vikings’ defense.
Isiah Pacheco, a running back for the Chiefs, was stopped at the line of scrimmage by Josh Metellus and Smith.

The team’s most tackles were tallied by Smith and linebacker Jordan Hicks, each with ten.

The Vikings’ 10-play drive ended on the Chiefs’ 24 after a punt by the Chiefs, and they turned the ball over on downs.

After another failed third-down conversation after the two-minute warning, Kansas City attempted to keep the ball out of the Vikings offense one last time to end the game but was forced to punt.
Kirk Cousins, the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, was sacked to put an end to the game as there were no timeouts left.

Head Coach Kevin O’Connell remarked, “There were a couple plays there that he’s famous for… for how he’s able to overcome some difficult situations and get first downs and things like that.”.
But I believed that our plan was generally sound.
“.

31 of Mahomes’ 41 passes were completed, resulting in 281 yards and two touchdowns.
Minnesota kept him in the pocket by sacking him twice and preventing any attempts at rushing.
Marcus Davenport and Danielle Hunter both recorded sacks as edge rushers.

Before Mahomes’ 33-yard pass to Watson, Davenport had already been sacked.
It appeared that the Vikings would win the race before it was over.
However, Mahomes has a talent for making plays with low success rates appear simple.

“I liked that we were able to get home quickly without exerting all of our effort.
After that, in the second half, Flo’ (Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores) called a 0 [blitz].
Cam Bynum, I believe he was.
We’ll put up with that decision, knowing that there’s a chance to get Mahomes to put the ball in danger and possibly turn the tide of the game.
“.

The one-two punch of Mahomes and Kelce is as deadly as any in sports.
When Kelce is available, Kansas City has not lost this year. He had a knee injury that forced him to miss Week 1 and an ankle non-contact injury that almost caused him to miss the second half of Sunday’s game.

Although the future Hall of Fame tight end was absent to begin the second half, he eventually came back to catch a team-high 10 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.

“You refer to it as bad luck.
Whatever you want to call it.
The term “self-inflicted wounds” will be used in our room and locker room, however, according to safety Josh Metellus.
This is our fault.
Therefore, those are the things that we can manage. We must take advantage of our opportunity to make a play or complete a task. And once we begin to do that, I believe the possibilities for this group are endless.
“.

Next week, Minnesota (1-4) travels to Chicago (1-4) to play its first NFC North opponent of 2023.