Minnesota Vikings at Chargers: Who has the edge?

Vikings (3-5) astatine Chargers (5-3)

When: Sunday, 1:05 p.m.

Where: SoFi Stadium

TV/Radio: FOX (Ch. 11); 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish); Sirius 83

Line: Chargers by 3 points

Notable wounded designations: Chargers: EDGE Joey Bosa (questionable; ankle), WR Keenan Allen (questionable; knee), CB Michael Davis (doubtful; hamstring), RB Justin Jackson (doubtful; quadriceps), S Nasir Adderley (questionable; ankle), DB Mark Webb Jr. (questionable; knee), CB Ryan Smith (out; knee)

Vikings: LB Anthony Barr (out; knee), DT Michael Pierce (out; elbow), CB Bashaud Breeland (questionable; groin), S Harrison Smith (COVID-19 list)

What’s astatine stake? Last week, the Chargers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles due to the fact that of the ratio from the discourtesy and the interaction plays connected peculiar teams. The Chargers’ defence struggled but made capable stops to lend successful the roadworthy victory. Now, the defence tin assistance the discourtesy and peculiar teams by improving its tally defence against the Minnesota Vikings, who diagnostic prima moving backmost Dalvin Cook. The Chargers’ defence allowed 176 rushing yards against the Eagles, but they made adjustments successful the 2nd fractional to bounds the tally plays. The Chargers’ short-handed secondary struggled to incorporate Eagles rookie wide receiver DeVonta Smith. They mightiness person a tougher clip against the Vikings’ receiving duo of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.

Who’s better? The Chargers get the borderline present due to the fact that they’ve been capable to triumph adjacent games this season. The Chargers are 4-2 successful one-score games and the Vikings are 2-5 successful that category. The Vikings’ 5 losses this play person been by a combined full of 18 points, including 2 successful overtime. Last season, the Chargers started 2-5 with their 5 losses being decided by a full of 19 points. But the Chargers turned a country this play with adjacent games due to the fact that of the play of backmost Justin Herbert and the adjustments made by first-year caput manager Brandon Staley.

Matchup to watch: Jefferson versus the Chargers’ secondary. Jefferson volition apt beryllium motivated for this matchup due to the fact that helium wanted to triumph the Offensive Rookie of the Year past season, an grant that went to Herbert. Jefferson tin effort to marque a lawsuit helium was deserving of the grant by having a standout show against Herbert’s antiaircraft teammates. Staley volition apt person rookie cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. support the do-it-all Vikings wideout for astir of the game. Samuel was removed from concussion protocol Friday.

Chargers triumph if: … They person different businesslike violative show with galore players contributing. Last week, Herbert completed throws to 9 players during a memorable 32-of-38 passing show against the Eagles. The Vikings volition apt person occurrence connected the crushed with Cook and are susceptible of lighting up the scoreboard with backmost Kirk Cousins, Jefferson and Thielen. The Chargers volition apt request much than 24 points to decision the pesky Vikings astatine home.

Fantasy sleeper: Tight extremity Donald Parham Jr. is becoming 1 of Herbert’s favourite targets this season. Parham is splitting snaps with Jared Cook and Stephen Anderson, but the Chargers person recovered a bully equilibrium with their choky ends rotation. All 3 person been progressive and Parham has been featured successful the surface game. Parham has 10 receptions for 114 yards and 3 touchdowns this season.

Prediction: The Vikings person galore playmakers connected offense, but they’ll beryllium without astir of their apical players connected defense. That volition pb to different standout show from Herbert and the Chargers’ offense. Expect the Chargers to leap to an aboriginal pb and clasp connected for a 31-24 triumph astatine SoFi Stadium.