Vikings @ Chiefs
Final Score: Chiefs 28, Vikings 25
Writer: Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)
The Kansas City Chiefs look set for a return to the Super Bowl on the evidence of what Patrick Mahomes and their starters did to the Vikings in the first couple of drives in this final preseason hitout before the regular season begins. Mahomes threw two touchdown passes at the end of the first two drives that totalled 154 yards, with the best quarterback in football going 8/9 for 117 yards and two scores with a quarterback rating of 158.3. It was a mouthwatering performance that left no doubt that Andy Reid and his superstar have been busy at work trying to avenge their defeat in last year’s Super Bowl.
At the other end, the Vikings and Kirk Cousins looked to be struggling through the same old issues that have plagued the often maligned quarterback throughout his time in Minnesota – failure to convert on third and short, ineffective in the red zone, and conservative playcalling on third and long. Cousins was operating without a number of starters so we must temper any criticism.
This was an enjoyable game and the Vikings’ backups managed to make some plays in the second half to make it interesting. Some guys earned a roster spot today for sure. There was plenty to enjoy on the Chiefs sideline though.
Me at the gym after lifting exactly one weight pic.twitter.com/eeMgu0v546
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 28, 2021
Minnesota Vikings
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins: 5/7, 51 yards, sack | 1 carry, 2 yards
Jake Browning: 2/8, 41 yards
Kellen Mond: 16/23, 196 yards, INT, 2 fumbles, sack | 5 carries, 40 yards
It’s hard to feel confident that Kirk Cousins can take the next step with the Vikings on the back of a messy preseason both on and off the field. The problems on the field in this game were all on third down. Cousins failing to convert on three separate drives to produce a score. He had three shots from the 8-yard line but couldn’t make a completion. The third-down throw was into coverage well short of the line and Chad Beebe could not hang on. What’s more worrying is that the play clock was down to 4 seconds before Cousins quickly issued a hurry up to get the ball snapped in time. This should not be happening in the last preseason game.
https://gfycat.com/positivefavorableflyingsquirrel
On the next drive, facing third and long from his own 16-yard line, Cousins took a check-down option that gave his team no chance to move the sticks.
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And his final drive of the night was another quick three-and-out as Cousins was flushed out of the pocket and could not find a target downfield before failing to rush for the first down.
https://gfycat.com/giganticdismalgoshawk
The Vikings are not going to expose their third-down offense for everyone to see in the preseason but these were routine plays that just are not up to standard in the NFL. The failure on third down is a worrying trend that has plagued Cousins since he came to Minnesota. The offensive line has been re-jigged and there may be issues still for Cousins to become a top-tier quarterback who can win games for his team in the post-season.
Third-round rookie Kellen Mond showed some nice moves with his legs but his quarterback play is still very raw. He’ll need at least a season before we can judge his long-term ability in the league. He led a nice final drive for the Vikings that resulted in a touchdown for AJ Rose Jr.
Promising final drive of the preseason for Kellen Mond pic.twitter.com/4Hs7YGzfVg
— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) August 28, 2021
Running Back
Ameer Abdullah: 6 carries, 21 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 12 yards
Ito Smith: 10 carries, 27 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 8 yards
AJ Rose Jr.: 6 carries, 41 yards, 2 TD | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 20 yards
Jake Bargas: 1 target
Ameer Abdullah is set to make this team due to his ability to contribute on special teams and his veteran presence should Dalvin Cook or Alexander Mattison experience an injury. However, undrafted rookie AJ Rose Jr. has had an impressive camp and scored his third and fourth touchdowns of the preseason in the second half. Rose has shown burst into running lanes along with a toughness that really separated the men from the guys in these matchups. IF the Vikings don’t take him, someone will likely give him a shot on the statistics alone.
.@ajrose_10 takes it to the house!
📺: @FOX9 | @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/noGjmgMO8A
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 28, 2021
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Irv Smith Jr: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 39 yards
Chad Beebe: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 23 yards
KJ Osborn: 7 targets, 3 receptions, 68 yards
Brandon Dillon: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 31 yards
Ihmir Smith-Marsette: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 43 yards | 1 carry, 8 yards
Myron Mitchell: 2 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards
Zach Davidson: 2 targets, 1 reception, 9 yards
Whop Philyor: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 35 yards
The news that breakout candidate Irv Smith Jr. needs a knee clean-up operation after experiencing discomfort in the first couple of series is bad news for an already-thin looking Vikings receiving corps. Both Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson have been nicked up in preseason and it has become a worrying situation for this offense. Chad Beebe could be on the roster bubble too after another poor display of route-running and ball security. However, one who could benefit is second-year receiver KJ Osborn. The undersized wideout has impressed in camp and also made some nice plays today with his seven targets.
Can we get one final toe-drag swag, @nateburleson?
👐: @KJ_Osborn
📺: @FOX9 | @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/GAXml2bafY
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 28, 2021
Despite another uninspiring outing from the Vikings offense, the team did bring at least one moment of joy.
This is the coolest thing the Vikings have done all game pic.twitter.com/vZqte2OJo1
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 28, 2021
Kansas City Chiefs
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: 8/9, 117 yards, 2 TD
Shane Buechele: 20/33, 231 yards, 2 TD, INT, fumble, 3 sacks | 4 carries, -3 yards
While other teams don’t even think to roll out their starting quarterback in the preseason, Andy Reid has wanted to ensure his young superstar Patrick Mahomes is ready to go all guns blazing in Week 1. This is the third week in a row that Mahomes has seen live reps and if there was any doubt over his condition going into this season, it was blown out of the water after he threw two touchdowns in two drives, both of which were fantastic throws. He started the night with this lovely floated pass for Tyreek Hill, who breezed past Bashaud Breeland for a 35-yard score.
5 plays into the game and we already have a touchdown 😱
📺: #MINvsKC on KSHB pic.twitter.com/bMw3xweAdc
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 28, 2021
Just what is an opposition defense meant to do with the unpredictably phenomenal talent that Mahomes has? Check out this mind-bending throw to Travis Kelce to extend his second drive of the night.
Mahomes is UNREAL 🤯
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/DYYVfKZOGd
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 28, 2021
It’s hard to look beyond Mahomes and the Chiefs to win it all after this display. With Chad Henne locked in as one of the most reliable and effective backups in the league, the Chiefs gave an extended look to Shane Buechele. It wasn’t pretty, however. The undrafted rookie out of SMU threw a pick that was returned for a touchdown, lost a fumble, and was sacked three times in a messy outing.
House call @_therealpnick!
📺: @FOX9 | @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/l5NMpOBSei
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 28, 2021
Running Back
Jerick McKinnon: 4 carries, 23 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Darwin Thompson: 3 carries, 11 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 14 yards
Derrick Gore: 6 carries, 26 yards | 5 targets, 5 receptions, 80 yards, TD
Michael Burton: 1 carry, 2 yards
After Jerick McKinnon and Darwin Thompson worked with the first-team offense as Clyde Edwards-Helaire sat in preparation for the season opener, it was an undrafted back from the 2019 draft that made a splash with a monster 62-yard touchdown in the second half to put the game beyond doubt. Derrick Gore has knocked about the Chargers and Washington Football Team practice squads since coming into the league but he may have done enough to earn a roster spot with the Chiefs after this spectacular run.
GORE BE GONE!!!!
📺: #MINvsKC on KSHB pic.twitter.com/qb1DOQjtT5
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 28, 2021
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tyreek Hill: 1 target, 1 reception, 35 yards, TD
Travis Kelce: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 35 yards
Damarcus Robinson:2 targets, 2 receptions, 30 yards
Mecole Hardman: 1 carry, 8 yards
Byron Pringle: 3 targets, 1 reception, 11 yards
Daurice Fountain: 7 targets, 3 receptions, 26 yards
Jody Fortson: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 32 yards
Noah Gray: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 24 yards
Cornell Powell: 3 targets, 2 reception, 20 yards
Maurice Ffrench: 2 targets, 1 reception, 13 yards
Marcus Kemp: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 41 yards, TD
Darrius Shepherd: 2 targets
Blake Bell: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards, TD
Darrius Shepherd: 2 targets
Dalton Schoen: 1 target
After the starters rolled over the Vikings in the first drive, a few backups saw some reps with the first-team offensive line and Mahomes still under center. One of them was tight end Blake Bell, who has spent time with both the 49ers and the Vikings in his career. He made a nice grab to go with a tough effort to hit paydirt for the Chiefs second core of the night.
BELLDOZER THE BULLY 😤
📺: #MINvsKC on KSHB pic.twitter.com/6b1Y9yUmdo
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 28, 2021
The highly-rated Marcus Kemp continued his promising preseason by going up for a catch and holding on for the score to make it 21-3 just before the half. It was a nice throw from Buechele, too. Kemp is an outside shot to make this roster after impressing with the Chiefs on their practice squad last year.
.@marcusdkemp just wanted to keep us on our toes before the half ⬇️
📺: #MINvsKC on KSHB pic.twitter.com/X1I4hPzbjo
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 28, 2021
Fifth-round selection Noah Gray also saw extended playing time, which was very encouraging. Gray is seen as a deep sleeper and is more attractive in dynasty leagues as it stands.
— Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)