Vikings Snap Counts vs. Chiefs: A Taste of Life Without Justin Jefferson

The Vikings lost another gut-wrenching one-score game this past weekend, falling 27-20 against the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Like the three losses before this one, the Vikings had opportunities to emerge victorious but made too many self-inflicted mistakes and not enough plays. Now they're a 1-4 team that will be without Justin Jefferson for at least four games, starting this weekend in Chicago.

Let's check out this week's snap counts to see what we can learn.

Vikings offensive snap counts vs. Chiefs (out of 72)

QB Kirk Cousins: 72
RT Brian O'Neill: 72
RG Ed Ingram: 72
LG Ezra Cleveland: 72
LT Christian Darrisaw: 72
C Garrett Bradbury: 71
WR K.J. Osborn: 64
TE T.J. Hockenson: 57
WR Jordan Addison: 54
WR Justin Jefferson: 51
RB Alexander Mattison: 37
TE Josh Oliver: 25
WR Brandon Powell: 22
RB Cam Akers: 21
FB C.J. Ham: 18
TE Johnny Mundt: 10
WR N'Keal Harry: 1
C Austin Schlottmann: 1

When Jefferson suffered a significant hamstring strain in the fourth quarter, it thrust Powell into a bigger role alongside Osborn and Addison. That will be the Vikings' wide receiver trio for as long as Jefferson is sidelined. Harry and Trishton Jackson were both signed to the active roster on Wednesday and will be in the mix for playing time as well.

Mattison out-snapped Akers once again, but the gap closed a bit and Mattison didn't help his case by dropping a wide-open screen pass in the fourth.

Vikings defensive snap counts vs. Chiefs (out of 66)

S Camryn Bynum: 66
S Harrison Smith: 66
CB Byron Murphy Jr: 66
LB Jordan Hicks: 66
S Josh Metellus: 56
OLB Marcus Davenport: 52
OLB Danielle Hunter: 51
DT Harrison Phillips: 46
CB Mekhi Blackmon: 46
DT Jonathan Bullard: 40
LB Ivan Pace Jr: 38
OLB D.J. Wonnum: 37
CB Akayleb Evans: 33
OLB Pat Jones II: 30
DT Dean Lowry: 22
DT Jaquelin Roy: 4
CB Andrew Booth Jr: 4
LB Troy Dye: 2
S Theo Jackson: 1

Davenport went from playing 62.5 percent of the snaps last weekend to playing just shy of 79 percent in this game. The Vikings need the impact he provides against both the run and pass alongside Hunter. Bullard also saw his playing time hit a season-high, which is a reflection of how well he's been playing.

Evans got banged up in this game, which led to Blackmon playing more than he has in any other game. Evans has a contusion, so his status is one to watch this week ahead of the Bears game. Booth also got on the field for his first defensive snaps of the season.

Lowry has played better in a smaller role over the past two weeks after struggling in a starter-level role in September. Roy only saw four snaps after seeing 26 over the two previous games. That number could bounce back up this Sunday.

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