Here is who national experts are predicting will win KC Chiefs-Minnesota Vikings game

One Chiefs player could be particularly motivated Sunday.

Running back Jerick McKinnon will be playing against the Vikings for the first time, and that’s significant because he was drafted by Minnesota in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

McKinnon appeared in 58 games for the Vikings from 2014-17 before leaving as a free agent and signing a deal with the 49ers. But injuries limited his playing time. He joined the Chiefs ahead of the 2021 season and helped them win Super Bowl LVII.

This won’t be McKinnon’s first Chiefs-Vikings game. He was with Minnesota in 2015 when the Vikes beat the Chiefs 16-10. He rushed once for 2 yards.

As for Sunday’s contest at U.S. Bank Stadium, here is who 66 national experts are predicting will win the game, which kicks off at 3:25 p.m. and airs on CBS (KCTV Ch. 5 in KC).

A Chiefs win is the pick for all five NFL.com writers: Ali Bhanpuri (30-23 final score), Tom Blair (28-25), Brooke Cersosimo (28-23), Gennaro Filice (31-28) and Dan Parr (30-24). Here is a snippet of what Blair wrote: “The Vikings have the pieces to push Kansas City as close to the brink as the Jets did, and they’ll be at home. I cannot, however, seriously predict Kirk Cousins’ team will finish this game with more points than Patrick Mahomes’.”

A 27-23 Chiefs win is the prediction from the Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer. This is a passage from his story: “Patrick Mahomes and Kirk Cousins were the stars (along with Marcus Mariota) featured on ‘Quarterback.’ They now meet on the field in a national game for the ideal promotion for Netflix. Mahomes is grinding through well by finding whoever in the passing game beyond Travis Kelce and also trusting the running game and defense much more. Cousins can make it interesting late at home to build on his league-leading 11 TD passes but there’s not quite enough.”

Nine of 12 writers at the Athletic picked the Chiefs: Tashan Reed, Michael-Shawn Dugar, Ben Standig, Zack Rosenblatt, Austin Mock, Nick Kosmider, Zac Jackson, Larry Holder and Mark Kaboly. Going with the Vikings are Josh Kendall, Zak Keefer and Chad Graff. This is an excerpt from that story: “Mahomes’ eight touchdowns are his fewest through four games to start a season since he became a full-time starter in 2018. His four interceptions are tied for the most he has thrown through his first four games of a season. Of course, there are no questions about Mahomes, a two-time MVP with two Super Bowl rings. But is Kansas City’s lack of dependable pass catchers not named Travis Kelce catching up with it? Justin Watson is leading the Chiefs in receiving yards with 163, a mark that is the second lowest of any team receiving leader in the NFL. Kansas City still ranks in the top 10 in both yards and points per game, but its offense is yet to resemble those of years past.”

All eight writers at CBS Sports think the Chiefs will win: Pete Prisco, Will Brinson, Jared Dubin, Dave Richard, Ryan Wilson, John Breech, Tyler Sullivan and Jamey Eisenberg. Prisco sees a 34-23 final. This is a snippet from his story: “The Chiefs haven’t looked great on offense this season, but the Vikings defense is the perfect tonic. Look for Patrick Mahomes to light up the aggressive Brian Flores defense.”

The Chiefs will win by eight, says the Pioneer-Press’ Kevin Cusik. Here is what he wrote: ”Swifties are all abuzz wondering whether Travis Kelce’s new pal, Taylor Swift, will be in Minneapolis on Sunday for this Super Bowl IV rematch. If the pop star passes on the chance to watch the 1-3 Vikings, it will be the biggest disappointment for Minnesota music fans since Lizzo’s last few lawsuits.”

A Chiefs victory is the prediction from 12 SB Nation writers: JP Acosta, James Dator, Debbie Emery, David Fucillo, Jeanna Kelly, Brandon Lee Gowton, Jared Mueller, Ricky O’Donnell, RJ Ochoa, Michael Peterson, Mark Schofield and Matt Warren.

The seven experts at Sports Illustrated predict a Chiefs victory: Albert Breer, Mitch Goldich, Gilberto Manzano, Conor Orr, Matt Verderame, Claire Kuwana and John Pluym.

Picking the Chiefs are the nine USA Today writers: Jarrett Bell (27-21), Ryan Bonini (no score), Chris Bumbaca (35-28), Nate Davis (33-27), Safid Deen (34-24), Tyler Dragon (28-20), Victoria Hernandez (28-23), Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (31-24) and Lorenzo Reyes (26-24).

All nine experts at ESPN see the Chiefs winning: Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano, Kimberly Martin, Moses Moody, Jason Reid, Lindsey Thiry and Seth Wickersham.

The Chiefs will prevail, say Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio (35-31 final score) and Chris Simms (35-27).