Minnesota Vikings (3-3) AT LA Chargers (4-3)
TV: Amazon Prime (streaming)
Radio: Los Angeles: KYSR-FM (98.7), LA Spanish: 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (LA Spanish)
Notable injury designations:
Chargers: OUT: RB Hassan Haskins (hamstring). Questionable: OT Trey Pipkins (knee), LT Joe Alt (ankle), S Elijah Molden (thumb), DT Jamaree Caldwell (illness), T Austin Deculus (ankle), OL Jamaree Salyer (knee).
Vikings: OUT: FB CJ Ham (hand), OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (neck). Questionable: T Christian Darrisaw (knee), RB Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring), QB JJ McCarthy (ankle), T Brian O’Neill (knee), RB Zavier Scott (wrist).
What’s at stake? For the Chargers they need a bounce back win after losing three out of the last four games. It has been ugly for them. They need a solid victory in a bad way especially with Denver and Kansas City keep winning. They need to stay in this AFC West fight by winning.
For the Vikings, they need to show that letting Sam Darnold walk to Seattle and Daniel Jones to the Colts was not a mistake. They had JJ McCarthy start the season but he hasn’t played since week two. They have had Carson Wentz but he has struggled. They need to win to keep up with the rest of the NFC North that doesn’t seem to drop games.
Who’s better? This is tough. Right now, the Vikings. The Chargers defense can’t stop a nose bleed right now whereas the Vikings defense punches teams in the mouth. Obviously, Justin Herbert is better than Wentz but the Chargers quarterback keeps taking a beating.
Matchup to watch: Chargers offensive line vs. Vikings front four: Herbert is averaging almost nine hits a game…NINE. It is ridiculous. Alt and Pipkins returning should help that especially on the left side. Expect Brian Flores to dial up multiple blitzes especially through the middle of the Chargers offensive line.
Chargers win if: ….Who knows. This team has struggled since the Denver Broncos victory in week three. It is ugly. Jim Harbaugh keeps giving his team praise for “staying together” and “fighting” but their defense is struggling. How they get past this is anyone’s guess, but They will win if Herbert is protected and Wentz is forced to turn the ball over.
Fantasy sleeper: Keenan Allen. The last time he played Minnesota, in a Chargers uniform, He had 215 receiving yards and even threw a touchdown pass to Mike Williams. Allen should get plenty of touches.
Prediction: The last four weeks this team has been bad because of their inconsistencies. It is ugly. That is why I think they go to .500 and have some stuff to figure out before they play Tennessee. Vikings 31 Chargers 28