by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Nov 11, 2021
Game time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Venue: SoFI Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Where to watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Chargers -3; O/U 53.5
BetMGM: Chargers -3; O/U 52
Caesars: Chargers -3; O/U 53
Season record
Vikings: 3-5 (2nd place, NFC North)
Chargers: 5-3 (T-1st place, AFC West)
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Vikings - Chargers preview and analysis
Last week
Vikings: lost 34-31 (OT) at Ravens
Chargers: won 27-24 at Eagles
It wasn’t pretty, but the Los Angeles Chargers found a way to bounce back after laying an egg against the New England Patriots.
They were also aided thanks to the Las Vegas Raiders’ ineptitude against the New York Giants.
But now the Chargers will look for a second straight win, now back at home after a week off, when they host the Minnesota Vikings and try to keep pace in the AFC West standings.
The Chargers found the perfect defense to go against in hopes of a bounce-back effort after losing two straight. Los Angeles got a career day from Justin Herbert, completing 32 of 38 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns in the 3-point victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Keenan Allen will have those games, from time to time, that remind you how good he is, catching 12 receptions for 104 yards, making his young quarterback look good for what’s supposed to be a stellar passing offense. Mike Williams had only 58 yards last week, but his catches were timely.
"Justin was patient today, he was extremely accurate, he played with good timing and our offensive line had a lot to do with that," Chargers coach Brandon Staley said. "Justin was outstanding."
The Chargers outgained the Eagles 445-331 with Philadelphia only able to stay in that game because of the Eagles gaining 176 yards on the ground while Jalen Hurts only threw the ball 17 times. The Eagles didn’t get their big-play offense rolling, but they ran out of time and that allowed the Chargers to end that two-game losing streak.
One would think that bodes well for the Vikings with Dalvin Cook in the backfield, but that’s not even trustworthy right now for a plethora of reasons; two of them being the Minnesota running game has not been as good as in years past, and who knows what’s to come of Cook’s status down the road with this domestic violence allegation against him.
On the field, Cook had one of his best games of the season with 110 rushing yards on 17 carries. But the Vikings couldn’t capitalize on that with Kirk Cousins throwing for under 200 yards and two touchdowns. Despite no interceptions, the Vikings couldn’t move the ball effectively in the second half in their overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
"I thought we were actually playing pretty well on defense," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said after his defense gave up 500 yards in that matchup. "Then we got kind of worn down."
Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen had a touchdown reception each, but their impact was not felt through all four quarters. Jefferson caught a 50-yard touchdown but then only caught two more passes for 19 yards. Thielen, normally more reliable than this, caught two passes for six yards and a touchdown.
Against what’s a stingy Chargers secondary, those kind of quiet performances can’t happen
Prediction
The Vikings had a tough time stopping Lamar Jackson (shocker, I know) but still found a way to intercept him twice. The big difference between the Chargers and Ravens is Baltimore doesn’t have anyone on the outside of Marquise Brown. Allen and Williams can have big games against this Vikings defense that allows nearly 270 yards through the air per game. I think Herbert has settled down a big deal and should be poised for a big game in a must-win scenario. Chargers by 13
Betting trends
The Vikings are 3-1 ATS as an underdog this season.
The Vikings are 2-0 ATS off a road loss this season.
The Chargers are 2-2 ATS as a home favorite this season.
The under is 5-1 the past three seasons for the Chargers when a home favorite of 3 points or less.
Players to watch
Vikings: Linebacker Eric Kendricks had a career-high 17 tackles last week.
Chargers: Star edge rusher Joey Bosa had a sack last week, giving him a sack in two of the last three games.
Statistical leaders
Vikings:
Passing: Kirk Cousins -- 2,140 yards, 16 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Dalvin Cook -- 554 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Justin Jefferson -- 632 yards, 4 TD
Defense: Everson Griffen -- 5 sacks
Chargers:
Passing: Justin Herbert -- 2,350 yards, 18 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: Austin Ekeler -- 479 yards, 5 TD
Receiving: Keenan Allen -- 600 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Joey Bosa -- 4.5 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
