MINNEAPOLIS —The Vikings did enough to protect a lead and home turf for a 16-10 win against the Chiefs on Sunday at the University of Minnesota.
Minnesota controlled the game early, building a 13-point lead going into the fourth quarter and withstood a late surge by Kansas City, by forcing a fumble with less than five minutes remaining. The turnover, which was corralled by Brian Robison forced Kansas City to burn through its three timeouts.
The Chiefs still had one more chance, but the Vikings caused four straight incompletions by Chiefs QB Alex Smith.
Minnesota got field goals by Blair Walsh in the first, third and fourth quarters and a touchdown in the second quarter. The Vikings found the end zone on their third trip inside the red zone, with Teddy Bridgewater zipping a strike to Kyle Rudolph, placing the ball high for the big tight end to reach and spear it.
The TD toss capped an 11-play, 51-yard drive that lasted 6:09. It was extended by Adrian Peterson gaining 2 on fourth-and-1 from the Kansas City 41 and a personal foul against Steven Nelson for hitting Bridgewater too low while the quarterback was in the pocket.
Vikings rookie Stefon Diggs led Minnesota with 129 yards on seven catches, and Jarius Wright had two catches for 69 yards. Adrian Peterson rushed 26 times for 60 yards, and Matt Asiata added 27 yards on five carries.
Kansas City got on the board with a field goal and followed with a 42-yard catch-and-run TD on a screen pass to Albert Wilson to make it a 13-10 game.
Sharrif Floyd made a huge tackle for loss of Charcandrick West when the Chiefs tried to convert fourth-and-1 with a run. Kansas City was 0-for-2 on the day on fourth downs and 3-for-12 on third downs.
The Vikings defense limited the Chiefs to one play on the Minnesota side of the 50-yard line in the first half: third-and-2 with a little more than a minute remaining, and it was a drop of a pass from Smith by Chris Conley.
Minnesota racked up 193 yards to 51 yards by Kansas City and had nine first downs, compared to three in the first half.
