The Minnesota Vikings will try to stop a preseason losing skid on Friday. Minnesota dropped its first two exhibition games without scoring a touchdown, and the Vikings will look to right the ship against the Chiefs. Kansas City is unblemished in the preseason and has been strong defensively. Patrick Mahomes is expected to suit up for Kansas City, though Tyreek Hill and Clyde Edwards-Helaire have clouds of uncertainty. For Minnesota, wide receiver Justin Jefferson is nursing an injury and the deployment of top-tier starters is unclear.
Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Chiefs as 4.5-point home favorites, while the Over-Under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 38 in the latest Chiefs vs. Vikings odds. Before you make any Vikings vs. Chiefs picks and NFL predictions, make sure you see what SportsLine NFL expert Larry Hartstein has to say.
SportsLine's senior analyst and Early Edge podcast regular enters the 2021 season 351-291 all-time on NFL sides (plus $2,212), including a 326-280 against the spread mark. In addition, Hartstein has an amazing 16-4 record on his last 20 picks involving Kansas City, returning more than $1,100. Anyone who has followed him is way up.
Now, Hartstein has set his sights on Vikings vs. Chiefs. You can head to SportsLine to see his picks. Here are several NFL betting lines and trends for Vikings vs. Chiefs:
- Chiefs vs. Vikings spread: Chiefs -4.5
- Chiefs vs. Vikings over-under: 38 points
- Chiefs vs. Vikings money line: Chiefs -220, Vikings +180
- MIN: Vikings finished 6-10 against the spread last season
- KC: Chiefs were 8-11 against the spread in 2020
Why the Vikings can cover
Minnesota's offense has been a struggle to this point, but they showed signs of life defensively a week ago. The Vikings held the Colts to fewer than 300 yards of total offense and generated two turnovers. Mike Zimmer deployed Kirk Cousins and the starting offensive line for three series against Indianapolis and, while it wasn't ideal, Cousins was serviceable and can be expected to play well if he takes the field for more time.
Kansas City is missing key pieces like wide receiver Tyreek Hill and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The Chiefs also have far less to play for on paper, with the Vikings trying to make sure they are ready for the season after a dismal 2020.
Why the Chiefs can cover
Kansas City is projected to be a Super Bowl contender yet again, and nothing from the preseason has dissuaded that viewpoint. The Chiefs are led by arguably the most valuable player in the league in Patrick Mahomes, and Kansas City has been willing to let him suit up and play in exhibition action. In fact, Mahomes threw 18 passes last week and, as he gets comfortable behind a new offensive line, head coach Andy Reid indicated that both his quarterback and offensive front will see more time on Friday.
"I think it's good for Pat, but I also think it's good for the offensive line and Pat to see how that's gonna work and for them to get a feel for him and (vice versa)," Reid told the Kansas City media this week. "We've got some young guys. That's why I left them in with (backup quarterback) Chad Henne - so they could get a little more extended work there."
How to make Vikings vs. Chiefs picks
Hartstein has analyzed this matchup and while we can tell you he's leaning under the total, he has discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's only sharing what it is, and who to back, at SportsLine.
Who wins Vikings vs. Chiefs? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see Hartstein's Vikings vs. Chiefs pick, all from the NFL expert who's 16-4 on picks involving the Chiefs, and find out.
