WEEK 6: NOON VS. KANSAS CITY • CH. 4 (100.3-FM, 1130-AM)

One man's prediction: Vikings 24, Chiefs 12 The Vikings return after their bye and are back at the friendly confines of TCF Bank Stadium, where they thumped the Lions and Chargers in consecutive weeks last month. The Chiefs come to town with four straight losses and will be without do-it-all running back Jamaal Charles. So the Vikings should be able to thump the Chiefs and their conservative quarterback, Alex Smith, too. If they don't, well, that's concerning.

THREE KEYS

Ch-ch-changes

The Vikings made one surprising change during the bye week, trading starting middle linebacker Gerald Hodges to open up a full-time spot for second-round pick Eric Kendricks. They could make another surprising change Sunday. Coach Mike Zimmer is looking for stability at strong safety. Andrew Sendejo and Robert Blanton have not provided it, so we could see second-year safety Antone Exum make his first start.

Six is a crowd

Mike Nelson — Associated Press, Star Tribune
Antone Exum might be the next man up at strong safety for the Vikings. Exum is in his second year in the NFL and has never started as a pro. The Vikings’ other options are Andrew Sendejo and Robert Blanton.

The wide receiver group on Monday seemed like a pretty big concern. But banged-up starters Charles Johnson and Mike Wallace both got multiple practices in this week and are expected to play, as is slot man Jarius Wright. So what will the Vikings, who have yet to dress all six receivers this season, do with impressive rookie Stefon Diggs, special teams standout Adam Thielen and kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson? Play them all?

Identity lost

Before tearing his ACL last Sunday, Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was arguably the league's most dangerous dual-threat back. He rushed for 364 yards, caught 21 passes and scored five touchdowns. Over the past three seasons, only Chicago's Matt Forte had accounted for a higher percentage of his team's offensive output. The Chiefs now turn to Charcandrick West and Knile Davis, who have 227 career carries combined.

Player to watch: T.J. Clemmings, Vikings tackle

The rookie right tackle got schooled by Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller before the bye week, getting beat for two of Denver's seven sacks in that 23-20 loss. Now he must match up against Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston, who led the NFL with 22 sacks last season and has 51½ in 64 career games. Clemmings, left, will be in the spotlight Sunday, but across the board the Vikings line must pass protect better.