The Minnesota Vikings dropped to 1-2 on the season after falling to the Kansas City Chiefs 13-10. Minnesota led for much of the game but failed to answer a late Chiefs touchdown.
After an early defensive stand by the Vikings defense, a heavy dose of Adrian Peterson on the ground and a couple underneath passes from Kelly Holcomb to Sidney Rice and Bobby Wade allowed the Vikings to strike first and take an early 7-0 edge. The key play of the drive came on third and eight from the Chiefs 48-yardline when Holcomb and Rice connected for a gain of ten yards and a first down. Peterson capped the drive with an 11-yard run around right end for the touchdown.
After back-to-back 70- and 65-yard punts by Chris Kluwe and Dustin Colquitt, respectively, the Vikings offense took possession on their own 29-yardline with 5:39 remaining in the first quarter.
A five-yard false start penalty and Chiefs defensive lineman Tamba Hali’s first sack of the season stalled Minnesota’s next drive, allowing Kluwe the opportunity to pin Kansas City inside their own ten-yardline, the seventh time he’s pinned the opposing team inside the 20-yardline.
The Chiefs began working their way toward midfield, utilizing Johnson on a mix of outside and inside runs. But the Vikings defense stiffened up when defensive end Spencer Johnson chased down Huard and jarred him, forcing an awkward fumble and a scrum for the ball. Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway recovered the fumble, and after the officials reviewed the play due to a coach’s challenge, Minnesota took over on the Kansas City 33-yardline.
Three plays into the Vikings next drive, Mewelde Moore took a handoff and lobbed a pass to Visanthe Shiancoe that appeared to be a touchdown. The official ruled that Shiancoe was unable to cradle the ball without it hitting the ground, prompting the Vikings to challenge. The ruling was upheld, however, and two plays later Ryan Longwell came on to convert a 22-yard field goal try, giving the Vikings a 10-0 lead with 9:18 remaining in the first half.
Kansas City again moved the ball near midfield utilizing Johnson, only to have the Vikings defense stand tall and stall another drive. Colquitt was brought on to punt for the fourth time in the first half with just over seven minutes remaining, and to that point the Vikings defense had held Johnson to 31 yards on 11 carries.
Peterson, who had 40 yards on nine carries when Minnesota took possession once again, encountered some trouble of his own on the Vikings next drive. On the second play of the drive Peterson was hit by Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen and fumbled. But the officials overturned the call after the Vikings challenged and Minnesota retained possession. On the next play, however, Peterson fumbled again and Kansas City recovered.
Kansas City produced three points from the turnover as kicker Dave Rayner connected on a 39-yard field goal try to make the score 10-3 with Minnesota still in front.
A 35-yard catch and run by Peterson put the Vikings in scoring position late in the second quarter, but sacks on consecutive plays ended the half and squandered a last-second scoring chance. Holcomb, who finished the first half going seven of ten for 103 yards, overthrew receiver Robert Ferguson on what would’ve been an easy touchdown on the Vikings final drive of the half.
The teams went into the locker room with Minnesota staked to a 10-3 lead. Kansas City had just 56 total net yards in the opening two quarters and Johnson was held to 25 yards on 13 carries. Minnesota 139 net yards of total offense, paced by 14 carry, 56-yard and one-touchdown performance from Peterson.
Minnesota received the opening kick of the second half and immediately went to work on the ground. Peterson moved the offense past midfield on five carries for 42 yards, putting Minnesota on the Chiefs 29-yardline. But just as the Vikings defense had stiffened up numerous times in the first half, Kansas City’s did as well, stalling the Vikings and forcing them to punt.
The Chiefs, who continued to struggle rushing the ball, took to the air on midway through the third quarter. Long completions to Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez moved Kansas City from their own eight-yardline to Minnesota’s 33-yardline. The Chiefs continued to try and gain yardage with Johnson on the ground but the Vikings front line and linebackers wouldn’t budge.
The drive stalled but Rayner was able to salvage a score, knocking a 49-yard field goal try through the uprights to make the score 10-6 with 2:58 remaining in the third quarter.
Huard led the Chiefs offense onto the field again after a quick six-play series for the Vikings offense and the home team went to the air on the first play. A 15-yard strike from Huard to Bowe on the last play of the third quarter netted the Chiefs a first down and gave them some breathing room.
The Chiefs continued to attack through the air, throwing eight times and completing seven passes over the course of a 12-play, 84-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown on a 16-yard pass from Huard to Bowe. Kansas City held its first lead of the game, 13-10, with 9:23 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The crowd became a factor in the game for the first time on the ensuing possession and the Vikings were backed up on their own ten-yardline. But a screen pass to Peterson for five yards and an athletic, leaping catch by Shiancoe for 21 yards got Minnesota to its own 32-yardline. An intentional grounding penalty on Holcomb re-energized the crowd and put Minnesota in a third-and-long situation. A holding penalty against Kansas City negated a long return and forced Huard and company to begin their next drive on their own 14-yardline.
Kansas City stretched the drive near midfield to their own 43-yardline, but Minnesota’s defense forced a punt there and the offense took over on the Minnesota 37-yardline after a 13-yard return by Bobby Wade.
The Chiefs defense stood strong again on the Vikings next possession, forcing another punt from Kluwe, his sixth of the game. Minnesota forced a three-and-out of the Chiefs offense, resulting in a punt by Colquitt and a touchback. The Vikings took over on their own 20-yardline with 1:39 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Holcomb completed two passes to Wade but a sack on second and ten drained much of the game clock and gave the Vikings two desperation plays from their own 32-yardline. The Chiefs defense held again and time expired, giving them a 13-10 win.
The victory was Kansas City’s first of the season and improved their record to 1-2. The Vikings dropped to 1-2 with the loss. The Chiefs travel to San Diego next weekend to take on the Chargers while the Vikings return home for a rivalry game against the Green Bay Packers.
- Sunday’s game was the first regular-season contest between the Vikings and Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium since 1999.
- Kelly Holcomb started in place of Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback for the Vikings.
- Adrian Peterson started his second straight contest in place of the injured Chester Taylor.
- Former Vikings Michael Bennett and Napoleon Harris played significantly for the Chiefs on Sunday.
- Pat Williams recorded his 100th career start on Sunday.