Why the Chiefs’ offense is erupting and a look at the solid Vikings defense

Week 8 is upon NFL fans around the world. With a full slate of games every week, it is good to know which teams are trending up, and on which side of the ball. 

DAZN News’ Gavin Babbitt breaks down one offense and one defense to watch in the coming weeks. 

NFL offer: Watch Week 8 with Game Pass for just 99p / €0.99

Watch every game of Week 8 - Thursday, October 23 - Monday, October 27, 2025 - for just  99p / €0.99! Not already a Game Pass subscriber? Well, get the DAZN Weekly Pro Regular Pass, reduced from £15.99  / €18.99 to just  99p / €0.99 for this week only.

Click here for more information and to buy a weekly pass for only 99p / €0.99.

Offense: Kansas City Chiefs  

The Chiefs have scored at least 28 points in each of their last four games. They are 3-1 in that stretch, and now above .500.  

Patrick Mahomes looks excellent, with the Chiefs ranking sixth in passing yardage per game (247.1). The two-time MVP is third among quarterbacks in dropbacks (293), and thrown for 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions.  

Mahomes has been deadly throwing on short and intermediate routes. In both parts of the field, his completion percentage is up from his season average, and he has found the end zone 11 times. This is set to improve with the Chiefs’ pass catchers dropping six balls on routes under 10 yards.

Rashee Rice returned to the Kansas City lineup last week. He scored twice on red zone plays, and received nine targets from Mahomes.  

Michael Owens/Getty Images

Rice opens up the field for this receiving group. He is traditionally targeted on shorter routes, which draws attention away from Travis Kelce in the middle of the field, and both Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown down the field.  

While the Chiefs run the ball on 43% of their plays, the ground game is efficient and effective. Isiah Pacheco gets his reps on earlier downs in the middle of drives, and Kareem Hunt plays in short-yardage spots, especially near the goal line.  

Both are physical backs, but the Chiefs are tied for fourth in the NFL in explosive runs (25). Pacheco and Hunt are a dependable duo when it comes to extending drives. All of this packaged with a Hall-of-Fame quarterback, limits a defense’s options.  

Kansas City is a top-10 team in the red zone, and fourth in the NFL in touchdowns. 

Defense: Minnesota Vikings  

The Vikings have allowed only 12 touchdowns all season. Minnesota is reducing opponents’ passing efficiency, and allowing only 184 yards through the air per game.  

This second and third levels are succeeding in limiting yards after the catch. The Vikings rank fourth in the NFL in the category (596), with safety Harrison Smith allowing only 19 yards. 

This strength of the Minnesota defense is disrupting offenses on third down. The Vikings are second overall in third-down conversions conceded (22), allowing drives to extend on only 30% of those plays. 

These trends could improve with the Vikings’ best corner, Byron Murphy, out to a slow start. Opposite Murphy, Isaiah Rodgers is allowing receptions on only 57% of the targets he defends.  

Anthony Souffle/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images

On the ground, the Vikings are stuffing the run consistently. Jonathan Greenard, Jonathan Allen  and Javon Hargrave have missed only three combined tackles; none of them have missed a game this season.  

Jalen Redmond is a pleasant surprise up front in his second year. The undrafted interior lineman leads the Vikings in sacks, and is second in running-game tackles.  

The Minnesota pass rush is currently done by committee. Jonathan Greenard is a top-15 player in win rate (18.3%), but has only one sack. He will continue to have his opportunities with the way he is playing, especially upon the return of Andrew Van Ginkel.  

Van Ginkel has been sidelined since Week 3 with a neck injury, and led the team in sacks last season.  

This is a bend-but-don't-break defense. It is showing it won't break in the red zone, and on third down. Two of its best players, Murphy and Van Ginkel, are yet to get going.  

The Vikings play the Chargers in prime time on Thursday night in Week 8.