Chiefs at Vikings: Preview and prediction

The Kansas City Chiefs were supposed to be one of the best teams in the National Football League heading into the 2015 National Football League season. Instead, they are once again a disaster, something that fans of the team had to expect on some level.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings were a trendy pick to reach the playoffs for the first time in the Mike Zimmer era. With second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater at the controls, Minnesota was expected to have a high-flying offense with the return of All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson from suspension and the addition of wide reciever Mike Wallace. Instead, the defense has had to carry the day, leading to a 2-2 record.

In this contest, the story will be told up front. Kansas City has allowed 22 sacks on the season, failing to protect quarterback Alex Smith in any way, shape or form. Smith has been running for his life, despite the line having seemingly no injuries. The Vikings will be without their top pass-rusher on the year, with Everson Griffen listed as inactive with an illness. With Griffen out, Zimmer will need Brian Robison to step up and fill the void.

On the other side, Bridgewater has dealt with shoddy protection in his own right. Center John Sullivan is out at least until Week 9 and right tackle Phil Loadholt is out for the season with a torn Achilles. Backup rookie  T.J. Clemmings will have the assignment of dealing with Justin Houston, who led the league last season with 22 sacks.

Ultimately, the Chiefs are actually in a good spot matchup-wise, but it is impossible to pick a team that has looked so awful over the last four weeks.

Pick: Minnesota 19, Kansas City 16