Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 10/2

Game Day!! The ribs are cooking. Low and slow for the win (and we need a win). Coach Haley likes to look at the season in quarters. I prefer to look at it in fifths (as in how many fifths of booze it takes to get through the season). Anyway, Vikings at Chiefs this afternoon. Those of you who'll be there, raise hell for the rest of us. In the meantime, here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Go Chiefs!!!

After three losses this season, Haley has begun trying many of the same tactics used 19 years ago by Ross. His staff has maintained its message, avoiding signs of panic, and encouraged players to avoid listening to outside criticism. Ross might have been associated with the Laurel and Hardy duo, but the Chiefs have been the punch line to jokes two weeks in a row by Jay Leno.

So the Chiefs distributed shirts to players this week, and on the back, the message is in dark, block letters: "‘We’ Don’t Hear The Hate."

Chiefs Look to Past for Inspiration from KC Star

Perhaps one of the more telling, yet rarely discussed, reasons for the Chiefs slow offensive start has been the overall lack of yards after catch (YAC). Kansas City currently ranks 32^nd in NFL with 189 YAC. New England leads the league with 601 yards.

This wasn’t the case a season ago when the Chiefs finished towards the middle of the pack in that category. When Kansas City was at its best, mid-range throws became big-time gains.

Where's the YAC? from The Mothership

 Today: Sunny, with a high near 75. South southeast wind between 3 and 7 mph.

Game Day Weather Report from The National Weather Service

Spangler says he’s listened to the negativity surrounding the Chiefs. He’s heard about the grassroots movement hoping the Chiefs amass the worst record in the NFL this season and select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the No 1 pick next April. He’s heard the ample criticism being hurled at Haley and general manager Scott Pioli.

"The town turns really easily," Spangler says.

The city’s psyche could be tested again today, when the Chiefs take the field as 2 1/2 -point underdogs against the winless Vikings. Another loss could perhaps send some past bargaining and on to acceptance.

Chiefs Fans Differ on How to Handle Grief of Lost Season from KC Star

Bottom line

This is a difficult game to figure. Both teams have been horrible for long stretches of time, the Chiefs in their first two games and the Vikings in every second half. So it’s tough to know exactly what to trust. We’re going with Minnesota in a not-so-confident pick here only because their problems have been less profound than those of the Chiefs. Prediction: Vikings 20, Chiefs 14

Scouting Report: Vikings at Chiefs from KC Star

Good people…it feels like Sunday is our day! I know the Vikings haven’t necessarily been lights out on offense and/or defense themselves but they have significantly better talent than the Chefs. I am looking for Jared Allen to have a big day against Branden Albert…it’s not going to be pretty. In fact, Allen could match his 3 sack total from last week.

Vikings/Chiefs Saturday Prediction from The Viking Age

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said this week. "You’re judged by wins and losses, and we need to get some wins."

So do the Chiefs.

Two of the five winless teams left in the NFL meet at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, both desperate for a victory. The Vikings have come close, while Kansas City is only beginning to show signs of life after one of the most dismal starts in league history.

Pair of Desperate, Winless Teams in Vikings and Chiefs Meet in Week 4 Matchup from The Washingron Post

Fans can join the Chiefs Community Caring Team by purchasing eight pieces of the Colonel’s famous chicken (any style). Not only will fans get an additional eight pieces of chicken for free, but one dollar of the purchase will go to benefit First Downs for Down Syndrome. This special offer is available on three upcoming Fridays during the season: October 7th, November 4th and December 9th

Chiefs Community Caring Team Joins KFC in Support of First Downs for Down Syndrom from The Mothership

"I probably see more with (Vikings opponents)," Kansas City coach Todd Haley said when asked about the Vikings’ second-half problems. "It looks like they’re making adjustments that are making them alter their plan a little bit."

Making plays

Why Can't Vikings Hold a Lead? from The Republic

Kansas City needs to be more creative on offense, one that is still minus No. 1 pick, receiver Jonathan Baldwin. QB Matt Cassel must find a way to get Steve Breaston as many opportunities as Dwayne Bowe, who has four dropped passed. It all could be for naught if Branden Albert doesn’t block Jared Allen, who has 44.5 sacks since leaving the Chiefs after the 2007 season.

Something's Gotta Give In Dallas from FOX Sports

Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker E.J. Henderson is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Kansas City with a sore left knee.

Henderson was limited this week in practice, resting the knee that has bothered him since the first week of the season.

Vikings LB E.J. Henderson Questionable vs Chiefs from The Superior Telegram