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The Los Angeles Chargers have comprehensively dominated the Minnesota Vikings on “Thursday Night Football,” winning 37-10 at SoFi Stadium.
The Chargers led wire-to-wire, outgaining the Vikings by a massive disparity of 419 yards to 164. Justin Herbert was the standout performer, throwing for 227 yards and three touchdowns and adding 62 yards on the ground.
Los Angeles improved to 5-3 while Minnesota fell to 3-4, giving the Vikings more losses than they had all of last season.
GO FURTHER
Chargers-Vikings takeaways: Justin Herbert does great, Carson Wentz not so much
Sure, Justin Jefferson led the Vikings in receiving yards and catches tonight. He had seven catches for 74 yards.
But Jefferson didn’t have the “big play” moment we’ve seen from him in previous seasons. Having Carson Wentz struggle doesn’t help Jefferson’s numbers.
He didn’t record a touchdown, which will certainly upset some fantasy owners of Jefferson.
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Maybe it was facing an offense with a banged-up backup quarterback in the game, but the Chargers’ defense rediscovered its rhythm tonight.
After an awful performance last week, the short-handed defense was dominant, allowing 164 yards and finishing with five sacks.
It got a turnover by rookie safety R.J. Mickens, playing for the injured Derwin James Jr., and just shut down the Vikings throughout.
Here are your postgame views on tonight’s game …
💬 David Z: “The Vikes have no QB.”
💬 Tony H: “Lost respect for KOC tonight.”
💬 Jeremy F: “I’m convinced the reason the Vikings were sticking with Wentz and not putting in Brosmer is to protect JJ. They don’t want a QB controversy between a first round pick and a UFA.”
💬 Brian H: “Fire KOC.”
💬 Jeff J: “Kwesi is awful. Not a single impactful draft pick in three years. This team looks old and slow.”
I love how the Chargers used Oronde Gadsden tonight, especially early. He had five catches for 77 yards and one touchdown, all in the first half.
He was a key outlet for Justin Herbert early and helped the Chargers’ offense get rolling to a huge night.
It was another tough game for Carson Wentz. He went 15-of-27 passing for 144 yards and one touchdown with one interception. His passer rating was 67.5, and he was sacked five times.
Tonight offers more evidence that the Vikings need J.J. McCarthy under center. They aren’t going anywhere with Wentz as the starting quarterback.
Justin Herbert had an incredible performance. He was 18-of-25 passing for 227 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He had a passer rating of 122.8.
On the ground, Herbert was also effective. He had seven carries for 62 yards.
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Kimani Vidal had the best game of his young NFL career, rushing for 117 yards on 23 carries. With so many injuries, the Chargers’ running game has become a big question.
Vidal had all the answers tonight.
First downs:
Total yards:
Total rushing yards:
Total passing yards:
Penalties:
Turnovers:
Time of possession:
The Chargers finished with 212 yards passing and 207 yards rushing, and the Vikings had just 164 yards total. That’s how to get to 37-10.
The Chargers also had a 29-12 advantage in first downs.
Sometimes the stats lie. Tonight, they do not.
How much can change in one year in the NFL?
The Vikings just suffered their fourth loss of the season. Minnesota was 14-3 during the regular season last year.
Q4 0:00 – Chargers 37, Vikings 10
Justin Herbert and the Chargers finish off the win, taking down the Vikings on “Thursday Night Football.” The Chargers improve to 5-3 while the Vikings fall to 3-4.
Herbert throws for 227 yards and three touchdowns, and the Chargers add 207 rushing yards.
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Cameron Dicker’s latest field goal puts this game over its closing over/under points total of 44.5. Al Michaels, as he has enjoyed doing through the years, subtly references that by saying this game “is truly over now.”
Q4 1:56 – Chargers 37, Vikings 10
Carson Wentz is out, and Max Brosmer is in at QB for the Vikings.
Q4 1:56 – Chargers 37, Vikings 10
Cameron Dicker hits again, this time from 45 yards, and he has his third field goal of the night. The Chargers have not punted in this game.
It’s cruel to all parties involved to send Wentz out for another snap.
Who is Wentz helping by playing hurt?
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Q4 2:00 – Chargers 34, Vikings 10
After an awful performance last week in a loss to the Colts, the Chargers needed a bounce-back week. And they have gotten just that with a dominant night.
They have more than 400 yards, and the Vikings haven’t reached 150.
Q4 6:23 – Chargers 34, Vikings 10
The Vikings are stopped on fourth down in their own territory, and Carson Wentz is hit hard more than once. That probably should be it for him for the night.
He is in pain, and you can see it on his face on just about every play.
Q4 7:01 – Chargers 34, Vikings 10
The Chargers’ eighth drive of the night, surprise, reaches the red zone. They settle for a 34-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker to extend the lead.
The Chargers’ offense has scored points on six drives, and seven of the drives have reached the Vikings’ territory.
The only one that did not was the pick thrown by Justin Herbert.
