Vikings vs. Chiefs: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

While it may not exactly be a battle of the unbeatens, both the 0-3 Minnesota Vikings and 0-3 Kansas City Chiefs will be hellbent on picking up a victory at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. While both teams are winless, they have each gotten to this point in very different ways.

The Vikings have led each of their first three contests at the half, including a 20-point lead over the Detroit Lions last week. Each time, however, the Vikings have blown the lead and currently sit in the NFC North basement.

Kansas City, on the other hand, hasn't really even come close to sniffing victory. While the Chiefs were able to hang with the San Diego Chargers in Week 3, they lost by a combined score of 89-10 against the Buffalo Bills and Lions in the season's first two weeks.

The Chiefs have been rocked by season-ending injuries to running back Jamaal Charles, tight end Tony Moeaki and safety Eric Berry to this point, while the Vikings have simply been choke artists. Regardless of how tough things have been for both teams, one of them will finally have a win come Sunday evening.

Where: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

When: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. EDT

Watch: FOX; KMSP (Minnesota) and WDAF (Kansas City)

Listen: KFAN 100.3 FM (Minnesota) and KCFX 101.1 FM (Kansas City); Sirius XM Radio: XM 233 (Internet 865)

Live Streaming Audio: NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)

Betting Line: Minnesota Vikings (-2)

What's at Stake?

At this point, both the Vikings and Chiefs are desperate for a win at any cost. While it's early in the season and an 0-3 hole can conceivably be dug out of, neither of these teams seem likely to be headed to the playoffs this season.

The losing team can all but pack it in for the season, though, while the winning team may still have some hope, whether it be false or not. The losing team may also start to work younger players into the lineup more frequently, so some veteran players could certainly be playing for their jobs.

Vikings' Injury Report

Questionable: WR Percy Harvin (illness), DB Chris Cook (groin), LB E.J. Henderson (knee)

Chiefs' Injury Report

Out: RB Jamaal Charles (knee—IR), TE Tony Moeaki (knee—IR), DB Eric Berry (knee—IR)

Questionable: DB Brandon Flowers (ankle), WR Jonathan Baldwin (thumb)

What They're Saying

After blowing a 20-0 halftime lead over the Detroit Lions last week, the Viking coaching staff has been criticized for abandoning the run in the second half. Despite stacked defensive fronts, Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson feels like he can still produce at a high level, according to Mark Craig of the Star Tribune.

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"Because once I get a crease and I'm out, there's not too many guys left to beat," Peterson said. "I've been facing eight-, nine-men fronts since I've been here. Even when [Brett] Favre was here, I was facing eight- and nine-men fronts. I feel like I've got a lot of confidence in the guys up front that we can, no matter the situation or point of the game, we'll be able to run the ball."

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There has been speculation in Kansas City that because of the Chiefs' more wide-open style of play in the second half of their game with the San Diego Chargers last week, that head coach Todd Haley had taken over play-calling duties. This wasn't the case according to Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star. 

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“Bill Muir is our play-caller,” Haley said. “I thought he did a tremendous job yesterday of just sticking with the plan.”

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Vikings Player to Watch: RB Adrian Peterson

The Vikings' key to victory in every game this season needs to be running back Adrian Peterson. AP certainly has good number this season, with 296 rushing yards in three games, but Minnesota has been far too willing to go away from the run, even while leading the game. Minnesota has had a lead at halftime of each of their games this season, yet they have come up short each time. Not only does Peterson have to be utilized in order to take the lead, but he needs to be used heavily to keep the lead. Peterson has had less than 20 carries in two games this season, and that is something that should never happen.

Chiefs Player to Watch: RB Dexter McCluster

After losing star running back Jamaal Charles for the season in Week 2, the Chiefs' season seemed to essentially be over. While that may be true, Charles' injury has given Kansas City an excuse to showcase the explosive Dexter McCluster in the backfield. McCluster's slight frame won't allow him to be a workhorse back, but he can certainly be used in the same fashion as Reggie Bush or Darren Sproles with runs to the outside and screen passes. McCluster has averaged a modest 60 yards per game, but that number figures to go up as the Chiefs find new and innovative ways to use him.

Key Matchup: Adrian Peterson vs. Kansas City's Defensive Front

As previously mentioned, running back Adrian Peterson means everything to the Minnesota offense. With that in mind, Kansas City will surely employ plenty of eight- and nine-man fronts in an effort to stifle Peterson early in the game and get Minnesota to alter its game plan.

The Vikings haven't shied away from passing, so that strategy could work, but if Peterson punishes the Chiefs' defense regardless, it will almost force the Minnesota coaching staff to force feed the ball to Peterson. Also, if Minnesota can at least maintain the threat of the passing game, it will open up more lanes for Peterson.

On the Hot Seat: Vikings QB Donovan McNabb

While it may not be completely fair to place all the blame on quarterback Donovan McNabb for the Vikings' second-half collapses this season, he has been leaned on heavily and, in turn, has come up small to this point.

McNabb is averaging just 160 passing yards per game to go along with an unimpressive 58 percent completion percentage. He also has just two touchdown passes and an interception. With first-round pick Christian Ponder looming, McNabb has to be feeling the pressure to win a game or two in order to preserve his starting job and avoid a repeat of what happened in Washington.

Prediction

Vikings 23, Chiefs 20