The Webster’s Dictionary defines déjà vu as “the illusion of remembering scenes and events when experienced for the first time.” That’s absolutely how Week 5 of the NFL unfolded. It felt like we were experiencing familiar moments as the games unfolded, especially with the last remaining unbeaten teams: the Minnesota Vikings and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Yeah, last week marked the beginning of a new NFL season, and while the events were fresh, they felt oddly familiar. It felt like we had seen it before, like déjà vu. Last week, there were two undefeated teams in the NFL, and going into Week 6, there are still two undefeated teams.
Now, the Chiefs have won 12 consecutive games from last year’s playoff run until now. The question is, when will Kansas City lose? The answer is, who knows? They won games in every fashion one could imagine. They won tight victories, staged some remarkable comebacks, and in their latest match against the New Orleans Saints, they emerged triumphant without ever falling behind. Keep in mind that the Chiefs were seriously shorthanded this week.
In addition to their starting runningback Isiah Pacheco being out, their backup runningback Clyde Edwards-Helaire is out, and last week, in their comeback 17-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, their top wide receiver Rashee Rice suffered a season-ending right knee injury. But when has a depleted roster ever been problematic for Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Travis Kelce? The answer is never! We’ve all seen this before. Again, it’s like déjà vu. Last year, the Chiefs were supposedly in a rebuilding year after trading away star wide-out Tyreek Hill. Do you know what happened that year? They went off and won their second consecutive Super Bowl. In their latest game, Kelce stepped up and made a significant impact for the Chiefs. Throughout the year, the star tight end had been relatively quiet, but in their 26-13 victory over the Saints, Kelce played a crucial role. He finished with a game-high nine catches for 70 yards, while Hunt ran 27 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. In a pivotal moment of the game, Mahomes delivered a crucial play as the Chiefs on the Saints’ 44-yard line with a 10-7 lead. Executing a quick strike, Mahomes found Kelce, who, instead of playing it safe for a field goal, made a bold move. Kelce quickly changed direction and surprised everyone with an underhand shovel pass across the field to Samaje Perine. This unexpected play allowed Perine to sprint for an additional 15 yards, adding an exhilarating twist to the game.
“I’m shaking my head because I told it to him before the play that I’ll throw it to you so we can get in field goal range,” Mahomes said during the post-game interview, comparing the experience to talking with his daughter Sterling. “And he underhand shoveled it across the entire field.”
We have to start calling it how we see it. The Chiefs are good. They are better than good. They are legitimately the most dangerous team in the NFL, and they have been since Reid inserted Mahomes in the lineup. In his first 100 starts, Mahomes has achieved an impressive record of 78-22, making him the quarterback with the most wins in their first 100 starts. With 77 wins in 99 starts, he has surpassed the previous record held by Tom Brady and Roger Staubach. He also has two league MVP awards and three Super Bowl MVPs.
The Minnesota Vikings may not have the same historic track record as the Chiefs, but this year they have the same record, literally. They’re both 5-0 and while their undefeated record may surprise some, we have to call it how we see it and we’ve seen it week after week. They win the same way they’ve been winning all season, with their defense. It’s like déjà vu. During the highly anticipated London game against the New York Jets, who notably selected the current Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, put on an impressive defensive display. They secured three crucial interceptions off the esteemed Green Bay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, ultimately leading to their hard-fought 23-17 triumph over the Jets.
In my view, the defining moment that truly validated the Vikings’ defensive prowess was when Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore made a game-saving interception with a mere 49 seconds remaining in the intense matchup. This significant play not only secured the Vikings’ victory but also highlighted the resilience and determination of the entire team.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell also spoke about Gilmore’s impact on this defense in these key situations.
“You think back to last year, where if you insert Gilly into some of those moments and you can get a little stickier with your coverage, playing some calls right there, where he’s really kind of on an island, as we’re trying to worry about where Garrett Wilson is,” said O’Connell. “He knows the ball might find him in those moments, and he’s ready to not only make the play, but catch the football. You have to have finishers.”
As I highlighted in last week’s comprehensive analysis, the Vikings’ defense once again proved to be an indomitable force on the field, effectively shutting down their opponents and showcasing their unwavering strength and skill.
Can’t wait to see if both teams can maintain their perfect records! Right now, these are the top two teams in the NFL, and their records speak for themselves. Both teams have faced some tough competition. The Vikings took down the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, and the New York Jets. Meanwhile, the Chiefs conquered the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, and the New Orleans Saints. It’s hard to argue that the Chiefs aren’t dominating the league, and even with a 5-0 start, the Minnesota Vikings still face skepticism. If they keep winning the way they are, it’s going to feel like déjà vu all over again.
