CHARGERS (4-3) vs. VIKINGS (3-3)
When: 5:15 p.m. Thursday
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: Ch. 11/Prime Video; 640 AM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 3
Notable injury designations
Chargers: OUT: RB Hassan Haskins (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: LT Joe Alt (ankle), DL Jamaree Caldwell (illness), LT Austin Deculus (ankle), LB Troy Dye (thumb), S Elijah Molden (thumb), RT Trey Pipkins (knee), OL Jamaree Salyer (knee).
Vikings: OUT: RB C.J. Ham (hand), OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (neck). QUESTIONABLE: T Christian Darrisaw (knee), RB Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring), QB J.J. McCarthy (ankle), T Brian O’Neill (knee), RB Zavier Scott (wrist).
What’s at stake: Three days probably wasn’t sufficient time for the Chargers to get things fixed before facing the Vikings, but Minnesota was in the same situation after its loss Sunday to the Philadelphia Eagles. Playing more consistently defensively would solve some of the Chargers’ troubles, although the Indianapolis Colts’ dynamic offense had a great deal to do with those problems Sunday. The biggest issue for the Chargers is playing better against the run. Their run defense has been porous recently.
Who’s better: When healthy, the Chargers have an offense and a defense that would be considered better than their Vikings counterparts. The Chargers aren’t healthy, though, and many of the players sidelined by injuries have been difficult if not impossible to replace adequately. For example, their offensive line took an initial hit when left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending knee injury during training camp and it was compounded when his replacement, Joe Alt, sprained his ankle Sept. 28 against the New York Giants. Running back Najee Harris sustained a season-ending Achilles tendon injury Sept. 21 against the Denver Broncos, Omarion Hampton sprained his ankle Oct. 5 against the Washington Commanders and Kimani Vidal, next on the depth chart, has been thrust into an enhanced role the past two weeks.
Matchup to watch: Justin Herbert versus everybody seems like a good matchup to keep an eye on week after week. He’s coming off a game in which he threw for 289 of his career-high 420 yards and all three of his touchdowns in the second half against the Colts. Granted, he had to throw and throw and throw some more after the Chargers trailed 23-3 by halftime. It’s a lot to ask for a repeat against the Vikings, but the Chargers might need something resembling it in order to win.
Chargers win if: The Chargers must play better defensively if they hope to defeat the Vikings and remain in the thick of the AFC West race. The Denver Broncos (5-2) and the Kansas City Chiefs (4-3) have turned up the heat in recent weeks. It’s imperative that the Chargers keep a lid on the big gains that have hurt them so often during losses to the Colts and Commanders that were sandwiched around a victory over the Dolphins.
Fantasy sleeper: Herbert is the one to watch, although that doesn’t exactly make him a sleeper pick, does it? He is, after all, the NFL’s leading passer with 1,913 yards through the first seven weeks.
Prediction: Every game is a must-win in the NFL, but this game really, really, really feels like a game the Chargers need desperately to remain competitive this season. A loss wouldn’t be catastrophic, but it would cast additional doubt as to their fitness as a playoff team. Chargers 23, Vikings 20.
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