The Chargers are back on track. The Vikings have major questions to answer. Los Angeles dominated Minnesota, 37-10.
Justin Herbert threw for three touchdown passes — the first to breakout rookie Oronde Gadsden II, the second to second-year standout Ladd McConkey, the third to rookie Tre Harris — and ran for 62 yards. He wasn’t the only one who got rolling on the ground: Kimani Vidal scored a touchdown and ran for 117 yards. It’s Vidal’s second 100-yard effort in three weeks; prior to that, his career high was 34 yards.
The Chargers (5-3) did not punt, their first time achieving that feat in a game since 2021.
Los Angeles also never trailed, but it was nearly a very different story. Isaiah Rodgers appeared to pick off Justin Herbert’s first pass of the night and return it for a touchdown, but it was ruled incomplete after replay.
Herbert took immediate advantage, ripping a 17-yard pass to Keenan Allen to convert third and 13. Eleven plays later, Herbert found Gadsden II for a touchdown.
Vidal powered in from 3 yards out on the next drive, making it 14-0 just over 17 minutes into the game.
After a Will Reichard field goal, the Chargers made it 21-3 just before halftime on a terrific nine-play, 94-yard drive. Herbert’s 27-yard toss to McConkey was picture perfect.
The Vikings (3-4) briefly got some hope midway through the third quarter. Down 24-3, Jalen Redmond tipped Herbert’s pass, and Josh Metellus came up with the interception. Thanks to a pair of fourth-down penalties by Los Angeles, Minnesota cashed in with Carson Wentz’s 4-yard pass to Jordan Addison.
That window of hope closed shortly thereafter. Vidal powered a 12-play, 82-yard touchdown drive that Harris capped with his first NFL touchdown, Wentz threw an interception to R.J. Mickens, and it was all window dressing from there.
Wentz, who sported a large brace on his left shoulder, took five sacks and several more hits and was seen wincing throughout the night. Wentz, filling in for J.J. McCarthy (ankle), finished 15 for 27 for 144 yards. The Vikings managed just 34 rushing yards compared to the Chargers’ 207.
Minnesota has lost three of four.
TakeawaysHerbert tremendous through air, on ground
Save for the one near-interception and the one actual interception, Herbert was in control all night: 18 for 25 for 227 yards and three touchdowns passing. But it was his work on the ground that was truly exceptional. His 62 rushing yards included two 18-yard scrambles as well as a key 8-yard scramble on third and 4 in which he outraced multiple defenders to the edge.
The Chargers went 9 for 13 on third downs, often powered by Herbert. Keenan Allen didn’t have a huge game, but three of his four catches went for first downs on third down. Herbert and Allen continue to show tremendous chemistry.
Vidal impresses again
The Chargers lost Najee Harris for the season (Achilles) in Week 3 and Omarion Hampton to IR (ankle) in Week 5.
Vidal, who was on the practice squad for the first month of the season, has been tremendous since. He had 124 rushing yards in his first career start, in Week 6 against the Dolphins, and after a quiet Week 7, he exploded again in Week 8.
“He just makes plays,” Herbert said. “You lose a couple awesome running backs, and you’re lucky you’ve got Kimani stepping up.”
The 5-foot-8, 215-pound bowling ball brought a physical running style that wore down the Vikings’ defense. Of his 117 rushing yards, 93 came in the second half.
“It felt great,” Vidal said. “The holes were open. It was great, just because I felt like I was just in a flow state, and I just saw it and I just hit it, and I was running.”
Joe Alt’s return from a high ankle sprain certainly helped, but credit Vidal, a sixth-round pick out of Troy last year, for making the most of his opportunities.
Vikings look beat up, overmatched in both phases
It was hard to watch Wentz, who played through clear pain and took a ton of hits. And really, it was hard to watch the offense as a whole. Standout left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who was questionable due to a knee injury, left early and did not return. Tight end Josh Oliver (foot) and cornerback Jeff Okudah (concussion) also got ruled out during the course of the game.
The Vikings were already down McCarthy, tackle Brian O’Neill, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and center Ryan Kelly, among others. The patched-together offensive line got no push in the run game, and Wentz’s tendency to hold the ball too long only made things more difficult in pass protection.
The offensive struggles are concerning, but might be less concerning than the defense. The Vikings are 24th in rushing yards per game allowed and 25th in yards per pass attempt allowed this season. Last week, Jalen Hurts had a perfect passer rating against Minnesota. Brian Flores has major issues to fix on all levels of the defense, and the Vikings as a whole very much look like a team that needs this extended rest.
What’s next?
The Chargers head to the Titans in Week 9 and will be heavily favored to make it two wins in a row. Like the Vikings, the Chargers left this game with some injury concerns, namely Derwin James (ankle).
The Vikings must rally to avoid a three-game losing streak, but that could be tough sledding as they visit the 5-2 Lions in Week 9.