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Thursday, December 9
War Room: Vikings at Chiefs


Minnesota offense vs. Kansas City defense
VIKINGS OFFENSE
Ranking in the NFL:
Run 18
Pass 1
Tot. Yds. 2
Scoring 5
Int's allowed 17
Sacks allowed 31
   
CHIEFS DEFENSE
Ranking in the NFL:
vs. Run 11
vs. Pass 18
Total yds. allowed 12
# of Ints. 19
# of Sacks 27
Turnover differential +17
Vikings offensive coordinator Ray Sherman devised a smart game plan against the Bucs but his players did a poor job of executing on the field.

QB Jeff George threw two costly interceptions and could have had more if the Bucs had secured a couple more of his errant throws. Compounding their disappointing evening was a lost fumble by RB Leroy Hoard and few drops by sure-handed WR's Cris Carter and Randy Moss, who both went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season.

The Vikings had some trouble getting open deep against Tampa's aggressive zone defense and they can expect to see a lot more of the same this week in Kansas City. The Chiefs matchup very well in the secondary against the Vikings' multiple-receiver sets with DCs Chris Dishman, James Hasty, and Eric Warfield.

Hasty was bothered with leg injuries last week, forcing Warfield into a more prominent role.

It will imperative that Hasty get healthy enough to play the entire game on Sunday now that WR Jake Reed is beginning to work his way out of a season-long slump. Reed led the team with six receptions and 63 yards last week, working mostly on underneath crossing routes behind the zone linebackers.

Kansas City registered an interception for the 11th straight game last week but that record could be in jeopardy if the defensive line doesn't put consistent pressure on George and force him to make plays outside the pocket.

The Chiefs only got to the quarterback twice last week, including once on a blitz, and that won't get the job done against Minnesota's capable offensive line. The Bucs sacked George three times last week but pass protection was not to blame, as the majority of pressure was coverage-related.

If the Vikings can't dictate the pace of the game through the air, RB's Hoard and Robert Smith are capable of turning the game into an ugly ground battle. Minnesota has a tendency of getting away from the run but they've averaged four yards per carry over the course of the season.

The Broncos averaged 4.6 yards per carry last week againts KC, although the Chiefs linebacker corps came up with enough big plays, especially on third down, to pitch a shutout in the second half.

Look for Sherman to concentrate the running game behind the massive right side of ROT Korey Stringer and ROG David Dixon, who should be able to handle LDE Eric Hicks and LDT Chester McGlockton at the point of attack. If Dixon struggles against the quicker McGlockton, the Vikings always have the option of inserting backup Corbin Lacina.

Kansas City offense vs. Minnesota defense
CHIEFS OFFENSE
Ranking in the NFL:
Run 11
Pass 22
Tot. Yds. 17
Scoring 8
Int's allowed 12
Sacks allowed 18
   
VIKINGS DEFENSE
Ranking in the NFL:
vs. Run 16
vs. Pass 31
Total yds. allowed 27
# of Ints. 8
# of Sacks 28
Turnover differential -7
In last week's victory over Denver, head coach Gunther Cunningham's ball-control attack had yet another player step-up and carry the load. This time it was FB Tony Richardson, who carried 12 times for a career-high 80 yards.

Look for the Chiefs to stick to their guns this week against a faltering Vikings run defense that is giving up over four yards per carry. Kansas City should be able to pound the ball behind their solid offensive line.

A big concern for Cunningham is the health of starting OC Tim Grunhard, who left last week's game with a right quad strain. If Grunhard can't play, the Chiefs will miss his push in the run game but backup Jeff Smith, who performed admirably last week in relief, normally plays better when he is in the lineup from the start.

Minnesota's coaching staff is looking for three players to crank their respective games up a notch-DT John Randle, MLB Ed McDaniel, and OLB Dwayne Rudd. The continued lethargic play of this trio is making the Vikings a fairly easy team to run the ball against, as Tampa's Mike Alstott proved last week with 95 yards on 23 carries. If the Chiefs can keep them off-balance with the combination of Richardson and RB Donnell Bennet, the Vikings will have a tough time getting their offense on the field.

Last week's nail-biter could have been a comfortable victory had QB Elvis Grbac connected on a couple of wide-open play-action passes. On three separate occasions, Grbac misfired downfield as he side-stepped pressure in the pocket.

The Chiefs need to test a porous Vikings secondary that was not tested last week by Tampa's ultra-conservative passing game. WR Derrick Alexander has gotten plenty of work the past month but his big-play ability has disappeared. Alexander and TE Tony Gonzalez should both have big days in the deep third of the field considering how slow FS Orlando Thomas has been providing help over the top.

A key for the Chiefs will be to eliminate the penalties that stalled a couple of drives last week. Although they weren't flagged in one particular area, the offensive line can't afford to play undisciplined and sacrifice field position against a high-scoring team like the Vikings.

Special teams
NFL RANK
Category MIN KC
Punt return avg. 20 6
Kickoff return avg. 18 19
Opp. punt return avg. 17 4
Opp. kickoff ret. avg. 15 6
Time of possession 15 10
Special teams played a big part in both teams' outcomes last week. RS Tamarick Vanover saved the Chiefs last week with an 80-yard punt return for a score. Rookie P Daniel Pope made the game interesting when he couldn't handle the snap on the ensuing extra point but the Chiefs hung on for the win. It's hard to peg a loss on one player but Minnesota RS Yo Murphy's fumble deep in Viking territory led directly to an easy Bucs touchdown. Murphy could be in for another long day against the best all-around cover unit in the league. Vikings PK Gary Anderson has struggled all season and converting pressure kicks in Arrowhead is a tough thing for any opposing kicker. Pete Stoyanovich continues to shine for the Chiefs, as he connected on a tough 43-yarder to tie the game right before halftime against the Broncos.

Key matchups
  • Minnesota WRs Carter & Moss vs. Kansas City DCs Hasty & Dishman
    This premier matchup will definitely dictate the tempo of this game. The Chiefs can't afford to let this one turn into a fast-break affair and Hasty's health could be the determining factor.

  • Minnesota LOG Randall McDaniel vs. Kansas City DT Chester McGlockton
    After a slow start, McDaniel is having another Pro Bowl year. McGlockton has been dominant in stretches this season and he'll have to sustain a high level of play on Sunday.

  • Kansas City ROT Victor Riley vs. Minnesota DE Clemons & Doleman
    Clemons is seeing fewer snaps now that Doleman has regained his stamina but his fresh legs are making a difference on passing downs. Riley must give Grbac more time to scan the field and deliver the ball in play-action.

    Minnesota will win if...
  • The secondary doesn't bite on play-action. The Vikings' defensive backfield is struggling more than any in the league and they can't be lulled to sleep by Kansas City's ground-oriented attack. Minnesota can count on at least one deep shot to WR Alexander.

  • The defense plays strong up the middle. The Chiefs have not kept their intention to run the football a secret this season. MLB McDaniel and DT Ball need to start making more plays inside for the Vikings.

  • They force QB Grbac to make plays outside the pocket. John Randle has been silent recently for Foge Fazio's defense. Grbac is normally very accurate with the football if he finds a rhythm. It's up to Randle & Co. to keep the heat on and prevent Grbac from stepping up in the pocket on play-action.

    Kansas City will win if...

  • TE Gonzalez is able to control the hashes. Gonzalez has been a key contributor in the play-action passing game the past two weeks and he must be a factor down the middle to prevent the Vikings from overplaying the sideline routes. The Vikings LB corps is much easier to separate from than Romanowski was last week.

  • The defense is able to force some turnovers. Defense and special teams have saved the Chiefs this season. It will be difficult for the Chiefs to keep pace with the Vikings if the defense doesn't set the table. Can they keep their interception streak alive?

  • They take away the big play and force the Vikings to execute a short passing game. Points have come very easy since George took over at quarterback. The Chiefs secondary must take away Moss and the deep game and make George use his running backs and tight ends.

    The War Room edge
    The Chiefs match up perfectly with the defense-less Vikings. Kansas City head coach Gunther Cunningham will pound the ball at a run defense that is giving up over four yards per carry. DCs Hasty, Dishman, and Warfield will have their hands full with Minnesota's passing game but they will come up with enough key plays to keep the score low enough for their offense pull out the win. The Chiefs win their third straight and Minnesota finds itself in danger of missing the playoffs.

    The War RoomMaterial from The War Room.
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