Chargers’ offensive star power will be tested by Vikings’ exotic defenses on Thursday night
Minnesota Vikings - at Los Angeles Chargers - Thursday p m EDT Prime Video BetMGM NFL Odds Chargers by Against the spread Vikings - Chargers - - Series record Vikings lead - Last meeting Chargers beat Vikings - in Minneapolis on Sept Last week Vikings lost to Eagles - Chargers lost to Colts - Vikings offense overall rush pass scoring Vikings defense overall rush pass scoring T- Chargers offense overall rush pass scoring Chargers defense overall rush pass scoring Turnover differential Vikings minus- Chargers minus- Vikings sportsman to watch OLB Dallas Turner The second-year participant who was drafted with the th pick in the first round in has been thrust into a bigger-than-expected role this season with a lingering neck injury sidelining Pro Bowl pick Andrew Van Ginkel After his tough matchup last week against the Eagles across from six-time Pro Bowl selection Lane Johnson the Vikings could use a bigger impact from Turner against a Chargers offensive line that has struggled with injuries this season Turner has just sacks in six games Chargers sportsman to watch WR Keenan Allen requirements eight receptions to become the franchise career leader and move past longtime teammate TE Antonio Gates who holds the record with grabs Based on his history with Minnesota there is a good chance he will get the mark this week as Allen has eight receptions or more in five of his previous six games versus Minnesota He had season highs with catches for yards with a touchdown against Indianapolis Key matchup Chargers third-down offense vs Vikings defense It s strength against strength as Los Angeles is moving the chains at a clip to rank fourth in the NFL while Minnesota is allowing conversions on of opportunities as coordinator Brian Flores group is the second-best in football Given the uncertainty with the Chargers up front it will be crucial to stay out of obvious passing third downs in which Flores can utilize exotic pressures and blitzes to overwhelm the line QB Justin Herbert is completing of his third-down throws for yards five touchdowns and five interceptions with five sacks Key injuries Vikings QB J J McCarthy ankle will miss his fifth straight encounter with Carson Wentz again starting in his place RB Aaron Jones hamstring has returned to practice with a chance to play on Thursday after missing the last four games C Ryan Kelly concussion will miss his third straight tournament Van Ginkel who has been practicing on a limited basis has missed the last three games Chargers Head coach Jim Harbaugh stated it will come down to competition day to see if LT Joe Alt ankle and RT Trey Pipkins III knee would be available OLB Khalil Mack elbow should see more snaps in his second challenge back after playing mostly in clear pass rush situations against the Colts DB Elijah Molden thumb is making progress but seems likely to be held out another week Series notes The Vikings have won both matchups in Los Angeles since the Chargers moved there from San Diego in The Chargers broke a three-game losing streak in the series when Herbert engineered a fourth-quarter comeback in Stats and stuff Vikings WR Justin Jefferson has career receptions the second-most in NFL history through a participant s first six seasons With more over the next games Jefferson would pass Jarvis Landry for the all-time lead Vikings WR Jordan Addison had a career-high nine catches last week for yards He hit the career receiving yards in his th match tied for the fifth-fastest contestant in Vikings history to get there behind Jefferson Randy Moss Stefon Diggs and Paul Flatley Vikings RB Jordan Mason has a career-high four rushing touchdowns in his first season with the organization The Vikings have multiple sacks in straight games the longest operational streak in the NFL and the fourth-longest in organization history Myles Price had a season-long -yard kickoff return last week against the Eagles Will Reichard made a career-most five field goals in as a large number of attempts for the Vikings last week including a -yard try to improve to of on the season The Chargers have a league-leading five players with at least receptions Herbert threw for a career-high yards in the loss to the Colts His previous high was yards against the Vikings in Week of the campaign Oronde Gadsden II had yards receiving versus Indianapolis the second-highest total by a rookie TE since the AFL-NFL merger in Mark Bavaro had yards for the New York Giants in Oct against Cincinnati Versatile S Derwin James Jr has tackles in three games against Minnesota but only one pass defense and no sacks tackles for loss interceptions or forced fumbles PK Cameron Dicker has made of field goals and of extra points at SoFi Stadium RB Kimani Vidal is averaging yards after contact Fantasy tip The Chargers are going to focus their attention on containing Jefferson and Addison which should make TE T J Hockenson all the more enticing this week in all fantasy formats Colts rookie TE Tyler Warren had four receptions for yards and a touchdown versus the suddenly shaky Los Angeles defense last week and everything will be in place for Hockenson to match or exceed those numbers AP NFL https apnews com hub nfl Source
