Vikings Chiefs Line


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This Sunday the Kansas City Chiefs will host the Minnesota Vikings in a battle between two 0-3 teams. The Chiefs haven’t even had a single lead at any point this season, but did show some life in the second half of a 17-20 loss at San Diego. Minnesota on the other hand  simply can’t hold on to a lead. The Vikings have had a double-digit lead at half in each of their first three games, only to completely fall apart in the second half. Last week they led Detroit 20-0 after two quarters, but would go on to lose the game 23-26 in overtime. This is the first time these two teams have faced off since Kansas City beat Minnesota 13-10 at home in 2007. ]

Taking a look at the week 4 NFL lines, oddsmakers currently have the Vikings listed as 2.5-point favorites over the Chiefs with the total set at 39.5 points.

Minnesota Vikings:

It’s hard to grasp what the Vikings have accomplished in their first three games. They are outscoring their opponents 54-7 in the first half, but have been outscored 53-20 in the final two periods. It’s almost as if the Vikings execute their game plan perfectly and then go completely against everything that worked in the second half.

Offensively this team is built to give the ball to Adrian Peterson and let him do the dirty work. Peterson had 73 yards and a touchdown in the first half against the Lions, but would get just five carries in the second half and finish with just 78 yards. There is no way the best running back in the game should get the ball five times when you are leading by three scores.

It would be one thing if the Vikings had a passing game that could move the ball, but starting quarterback Donovan McNabb has thrown for just 478 yards and two touchdowns.

Kansas City comes in with the 28th worst run defense in the league, allowing 123 yards a game. If Adrian Peterson doesn’t have at least 20-25 carries in this game, head coach Leslie Frazier needs to be fired on the spot. This is a must win game and you have to give the ball to your best player.

Kansas City Chiefs:

While every team has to battle through injuries, Kansas City has been hit extremely hard in the early going of this season. They have already lost their best defensive player in safety Eric Berry and their best offensive player in Jamaal Charles. They have yet to get rookie wide out Jonathan Baldwin on the field and have also lost starting tight end Tony Moeaki for the entire season.

Matt Cassel looks nothing like the Pro Bowl quarterback from a year ago. His 65.5 passer rating is the worst of any starter in the league. He has thrown for just 428 yards with just three touchdowns to five interceptions. Without Charles the Chiefs need Cassel to start making more plays in the passing game or this team is going to struggle to win a game.

The Chiefs are 9th in the NFL with an average of 113 rushing yards a game, but that number figures to continue to drop without Charles in the mix. I think this team needs to give Dexter McCluster some more attempts. The second-year back carried it nine times for 45 yards against the Chargers and is the biggest playmaker left on the offense outside of wide out Dwayne Bowe.

The only problem for the Chiefs in this game is they face a Minnesota defense that is allowing just over 67 yards a game on the ground.  Things might not be any easier for Cassel and the passing game, as they go up against a Minnesota defense that had five sacks against the Lions last week. Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen was a star in Kansas City before he was traded away, and I expect him to really play with a lot of intensity in this game.

Betting Trends:

Minnesota is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a road favorite of 0.5-3.0.

Kansas City is 4-10 ATS in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

If you are looking for some expert advice on who to take this week. Be sure to stop back and check out what Steve Janus has to offer in week 4 of the NFL.

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