Chargers-Vikings takeaways: Justin Herbert dominates, Carson Wentz not so much, Herbert, Vidal lead Chargers in commanding win over Vikings
By Alex Lewis, Daniel Popper, Alex Valdes
Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes, and the Los Angeles Chargers made things difficult for Carson Wentz in a 37-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.
The Chargers sacked Wentz five times and intercepted him once. Wentz is playing in place of J.J. McCarthy, who suffered an ankle injury in Week 2.
Ladd McConkey, Oronde Gadsden II, and Trey Harris caught touchdown passes for the Chargers. Kimani Vidal ran for 108 yards and scored a touchdown.
Back on Track
This was a comeback game for the Chargers in many ways. Left tackle Joe Alt returned for his first game since Week 4. He stabilized the Chargers’ offensive line in pass protection and the run game. Justin Herbert was still sacked eight times, but the Chargers managed to move the ball efficiently against the Vikings’ defense. They produced over 400 yards of offense, including a 100-yard rushing game by Vidal. Herbert threw three touchdowns. He was also effective as a scrambler, rushing for 62 yards.
The Chargers performed very well under the circumstances, going 9 of 12 on third downs and 3 of 3 in the red zone. The Chargers were still starting with right tackle Bobby Hart, and right guard Mekhi Becton (knee injury) sat out most of the game after exiting in the first half. But Alt made a big difference in keeping the Chargers on schedule offensively. — Daniel Popper, Chargers beat writer
A glimpse of the 2024 Chargers defense
Defensively, the Chargers were suffocating. The Vikings went 2 of 9 on third downs and had less than 140 yards of offense before garbage time in the fourth quarter. They put pressure on Wentz. They allowed just 18 rushing yards before garbage time. It looked like last season’s Chargers defense.
As with the offense, reinforcements made a big difference for coordinator Jesse Minter’s team. Edge rusher Khalil Mack returned in Week 7, but was limited to just 12 snaps in the loss to the Colts. His role expanded on Thursday night, and Mack infused energy and physicality into the Chargers. Mack also had a sack and a run. — Popper
Another Los Angeles Star Injured
The Chargers’ defensive performance came after the departure of safety Derwin James Jr., who exited the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury. He had to sit out the second half wearing a walking boot. Injuries have been a common occurrence this Chargers season. Now they have another star player in a walking boot. Starting cornerback Tarheeb Stills also missed the second half with a knee injury. The Chargers desperately need a rebounder in this short offseason. — Popper
The Vikings are in a bad situation.
They say it’s never possible to say anything could get worse. Judging by the Vikings’ performance, this cliché is hard to believe. Both offense and defense were extremely disappointing. The defensive issues were the most troubling. Quarterback Justin Herbert not only dominated inside and outside the pocket, but the Chargers’ offensive line dismantled the Vikings’ front in the run game. At one point in the third quarter, the Vikings had run 24 plays, and the Chargers had 20 first downs.
The Chargers’ offense gained momentum on almost every offensive play. Vidal was evading arm tackles and reaching the second level. He gained 117 yards on 23 carries. Herbert himself used his legs as a weapon all night, gaining 62 yards on seven rushing attempts.
Minnesota had planned to build its defense as the foundation of its team this season. Interior defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave haven’t lived up to expectations. The quarterbacks’ performance over the past two weeks has highlighted many people’s doubts about the Vikings’ secondary. Chargers pass catchers Keenan Allen, Oronde Gadsden II, and McConkey were blazing through the middle of the field all night, but there wasn’t much relief in sight. How the Vikings will bounce back against the Lions in Detroit next week is another matter. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer
Quarterbacking has been weak
As easy as it was to start with the defense, the Vikings’ offense has been equally disappointing. Minnesota’s quarterback play hasn’t been good. McCarthy, who is expected to return next week against the Lions, struggled in the first two games. Wentz replaced him, and the problems persisted. His performance wasn’t accurate. He didn’t catch the ball well. He took too many sacks. By the end, he was being hit hard in the pocket, his face was bruised, and his helmet was falling to the sideline.
Their defense didn’t help matters either. Right tackle Brian O’Neill didn’t play. He had just returned from an MCL sprain the previous weekend and reported after the game that his knee was stiff at times. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw started but was soon ruled out, which has been a problem all season. The Vikings lost center Blake Brandel, who began the season as the team’s third-string quarterback.
Perhaps the biggest reason for this offensive failure was that the Chargers were badly beaten in the first game.
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