Los Angeles Chargers vs. Minnesota Vikings Prediction: Can Kirk Cousins, Vikings Bounce Back?
The Minnesota Vikings take on the Los Angeles Chargers today, and both teams are 0-2. Can Kirk Cousins and the Vikings bounce back? Ben Rajavuori breaks down this game.
Ben Rajavuori - September 24, 2023, 9:52 AM EDT
7 minLos Angeles Chargers vs. Minnesota Vikings Prediction: Can Kirk Cousins, Vikings Bounce Back?
The Minnesota Vikings head back home after a disheartening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football last week. They play host to the Los Angeles Chargers, who also enter this game with a disheartening loss to the Tennessee Titans in overtime. The Vikings are slight one-point favorites, although the line has been flipping all week, with bettors and oddsmakers alike split on this game. Which team will bounce back in Week 3?
Chargers vs. Vikings Start Time, Where To Watch, And Odds
- Date: Sunday, September 24, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Minnesota Vikings Prediction
Both teams are in true desperation mode. Both teams made the playoffs last year, with the Vikings going 13-4 and winning the NFC North and the Chargers going 10-7 and earning a wild card spot. After making the playoffs last season, both teams find themselves 0-2 and searching for their first win. The Chargers have lost both games despite being favorites in both, and the Vikings dropped game one at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as 5.5-point favorites before heading into Philadelphia and losing by six to the Eagles as six-point underdogs. Neither team can afford to drop to 0-3, although one has to (unless we see a tie here). Who really has the upper hand in this battle of desperation?
The Viking's offense has been a stat machine. They have a high-powered offense backed by maybe the best receiver in the NFL, Justin Jeffers. However, they CANNOT stop turning the ball over. Kirk Cousins has already thrown for 708 yards this season, which is second in the NFL through week two, and only seven yards behind Tua Tagolvailoa. Kirk has thrown six touchdowns with just one interception. However, the Vikings have fumbled SIX TIMES through two games, totaling seven turnovers in just two games with the interception. The Vikings could have and probably would have won last week if not for coughing the ball up four times, including a Justin Jefferson fumble into the end zone that would have put seven on the board for the Vikings rather than giving the ball to the Eagles at the 20.
The Vikings' offense hasn't looked bad through two weeks; they just can't stop beating themselves. On defense, the secondary has played well, but the front line is giving up too many running lanes. Jalen Hurts only passed for 193 yards last week, and the defense held A.J. Brown down well, but the Eagles rushed for 259 yards, eating the front line alive. However, they may not have to worry about that this week as much, as Charger's starting running back Austin Ekeler is out for this game. That means the Chargers may have to rely on getting the ball in the air more.
The Chargers defense gave up 246 passing yards to Ryan Tannehill last week, which may spell problems against the Vikings. The Vikings replaced Adam Thielen with Jordan Addison in the offseason, and with the addition of T.J. Hockenson last season, the Vikings may have one of the scariest passing attacks in the NFL. This Charger's secondary has not looked good so far, and the Vikings should eat them alive.
The Vikings have had ten days to correct their fumbling problems and get back on track, getting extra rest after playing on Thursday last week. The Chargers are on the road once again and have to shake off an ugly overtime loss to the Titans. Herbert has not looked good in the second half of games leading back to last season, and Kirk Cousins is playing in his most successful time slot, a non-primetime Sunday game. The Vikings have played very well at home under Kevin O'Connell, and if they can just hold on to the ball, this should be their first win of the season.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Minnesota Vikings Pick
Pick: Vikings ML -112 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
NFL Odds
