4 Vikings X-Factors Need to Show Up vs. Chiefs
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings finally snatched their first victory of the 2023 season, defeating the Carolina Panthers 21-13 in Week 4.
Now, they head back home for a huge test against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City has roared to a 3-1 start to begin the year, winning three consecutive games following their Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions.
If the Vikings are going to pull off an upset win over the Chiefs this weekend, they will need a full team effort from everybody on the field. Here are four Vikings X-factors for Minnesota who need to show up in a big way this weekend.
OLB Marcus Davenport
Marcus Davenport finally found a way to make an impact for the Vikings defense last Sunday against Carolina. After playing just four total snaps through Minnesota’s first three games, Davenport was able to play 45 snaps last Sunday.
Davenport’s presence as a pass-rusher was vital for the Vikings last weekend, and in a game against Kansas City, they will need him once again. The Chiefs have allowed just two sacks through four weeks this season, the least in the NFL.
However, Patrick Mahomes has been pressured at the seventh-highest rate in the league (26.7%) and has been hit the fourth-most (19 times). Opposing offenses have put pressure on him, but they just haven’t been able to wrap him up. Hopefully, an athletic presence like Davenport alongside Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum can change that.
CB Byron Murphy
The Vikings signed Byron Murphy as their one major veteran addition to the CB room this offseason after parting ways with Cameron Dantzler, Patrick Peterson, Duke Shelley, and Chandon Sullivan. So far, it’s been a mixed bag for the veteran CB in 2023. Here’s a look at his PFF grades through four weeks:
- Week 1: 63.4
- Week 2: 46.3
- Week 3: 41.1
- Week 4: 60.5
Murphy had decent games against the Buccaneers and Panthers, but especially in Week 3 against the Chargers, he struggled mightily. He allowed 10 catches for 185 yards (largely while guarding Keenan Allen). In order to hang with the Chiefs, the Vikings will need a much better version of Murphy to stop this offense.
RB Cam Akers
After being acquired via trade a couple weeks ago, Cam Akers made his Vikings debut last week. His presence made a notable impact on the Vikings running game as he garnered five carries for 40 yards.
Akers brought more burst to the backfield, so he and Alexander Mattison should form a duo that complements each other very well for the rest of the year. The Chiefs defense has allowed their opponents to put up steady production in the running game, giving up 4.4 yards per carry.
Minnesota’s best chance at beating Mahomes entails keeping him on the bench for as long as possible. This is something they haven’t done much of through four weeks, ranking third-worst in time of possession. That needs to flip this weekend, and Akers will play a big role in making that happen.
WR Jordan Addison
Jordan Addison put up a goose egg in Week 4 against the Panthers, being held without a catch. It didn’t end up mattering much in the end as the Vikings were still able to win, but that likely won’t continue if Addison can’t be an impactful player.
Minnesota selected the receiver in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft in order to put another sharp route-runner in the offense to take some pressure off of Justin Jefferson. Especially with some of K.J. Osborn’s struggles early in the year, the Vikings must get more production out of their rookie receiver this weekend.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.