MINNEAPOLIS – Down 16-10, the Chiefs were driving late in the fourth quarter with a chance to take the lead on a touchdown.
Tight end Travis Kelce put the Chiefs on the Minnesota Vikings’ 43-yard line after hauling in a 37-yard catch, but the wheels came off on the next play.
Oct. 18, 2015; Minneapolis; Chiefs coaches, Tom Melvin (left) and Eric Bieniemy (center), signal to players on the field as head coach Andy Reid observes against the Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Running back Charcandrick West, who drew his first career start, coughed up the football after a 1-yard gain and the Vikings recovered to ice the game.
“The fumble killed everything,” West said. “That stopped any momentum that we had.”
The turnover, however, had a little help.
Left tackle Donald Stephenson appeared to knock the ball loose on the video replay shown on TV, and coach Andy Reid confirmed during his postgame media session that is what happened.
“He was trying to make a play and ended up punching it out,” Reid said of Stephenson. “The bottom line is you have to hang onto it no matter who it is, particularly at that point in the game. We have had better games. I hope we have better games down the road, and we have to fix those problems.”
West, who finished the game with 33 yards rushing on nine carries, agreed with his head coach.
“It doesn’t matter who hits the ball or how it happens,” West said. “I just have to hold on to the ball. Fumbles are not acceptable.”
WILSON RETURNS
Second-year wide receiver Albert Wilson returned to action Sunday after being inactive the previous two games with a shoulder injury.
“First of all, it was a blessing to get back on the field healthy,” Wilson said. “The trainers did a great job getting me back with rehab on my shoulder. The opportunity came and I just took advantage of it.”
That he did.
Wilson made the most of his opportunities, totaling three catches for 57 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown reception, on six targets.
The scoring play, which was Wilson’s first career touchdown, occurred early in the fourth quarter and pulled the Chiefs within three points of the Vikings, who went on the win, 16-10.
INJURY FRONT
Defensive end Mike DeVito and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin sustained concussions against the Vikings.
Both will go through the NFL concussion protocol, coach Andy Reid said after the game.
DeVito went down shortly before halftime, while Maclin suffered his concussion in early in the fourth quarter.
After receiving attention, Maclin attempted to walk off the field before taking a knee. He eventually received assistance to the sideline before leaving for the locker room.
UP NEXT
The Chiefs (1-5) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) in Week 7 at Arrowhead Stadium.
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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