Chiefs at Vikings - Matchups to Watch
The Chiefs head to Minnesota looking to continue their winning streak
This week is a little easier to get matchups than most based on how the teams play. Minnesota’s penchant for blitzing should be on full display on Sunday afternoon and could allow for fireworks. Mahomes’ and the Chiefs’ offense will have chances they haven’t had much this season on Sunday afternoon.
Patrick Mahomes vs. Brian Flores
Generally, I’m not going to be picking Mahomes vs a defensive coordinator from week to week. In this case, I don’t feel like there is much of a choice. Flores has been blitzing QB’s at almost a 60% rate so far this season. That kind of attack against Mahomes has the chance to be fatal, especially considering one of their favorites to blitz is safety Harrison Smith.
In 2022, Mahomes was blitzed just under 30% of his dropbacks. He completed 66.7% of his passes for 1,744 yards, 20 TD’s, and only 5 INT’s for a passer rating of 108.9. His passer rating was actually higher against the blitz than when not blitzed and that is mainly because Mahomes reads defenses so well he is usually not surprised and knows where to go with the ball. If Flores decides to continue his pressure game with Mahomes look for Reid and Patrick to take some shots throughout the game.
Jawaan Taylor vs. Danielle Hunter
Taylor has struggled so far this season mainly due to being under intense scrutiny in weeks two and three after being called out in week one. He is currently leading the NFL in penalties against and had two more penalties against the Jets last week. Where Taylor has shined so far this season is that he has not allowed a sack and has only allowed a total of eight pressures in 159 snaps played this season. If he can limit penalties, he is doing exactly what the Chiefs brought him to Kansas City for.