Tag: Chargers Vikings

Chargers film room: Justin Herbert’s phenomenal performance vs. Vikings

Justin Herbert was lights out in the Chargers’ victory over the Vikings.

On Sunday, Justin Herbert went 40/47 for 405 yards and 3 touchdowns, finishing with the best completion percentage of any quarterback to throw at least 40 passes in the Next Gen Stats era.

The scariest part: he could have been even better.

Let’s get to the film.

2023 Power Rankings Roundup, Week 4: Where Chargers stand after win over Vikings

Here is what the national media thinks of the Chargers after their first win of the season.

The Chargers beat the Vikings, 28-24, in Week 3 of the 2023 season.

After the victory, here is what the national media thinks of the Bolts:

USA Today: 21 (Previous: 21)

“Currently the league’s most accurate (74.4% completion rate) and careful (0 INTs) passer, QB Justin Herbert just notched his 100th career TD pass. Too bad he won’t be throwing any more this year to injured WR Mike Williams.”

Touchdown Wire: 13 (Previous: 14)

“I don’t have any justification for the Chargers being this high other than their quarterback is too good for me to ever quit him. They sure tried their hardest to lose to the Vikings, though.”

NFL: 15 (Previous: 16)

“Even in a much-needed win, the Chargers left the door open for criticism with porous pass defense (again) and a questionable decision by Brandon Staley. Going for it on fourth-and-1 near his own end zone while leading by four late in the game was a wild risk, for sure; though his defense bailed him out, I wonder what the message would have been had it failed. Between that and Mike Williams’ season-ending ACL injury, it feels like the Chargers barely got to enjoy a road victory. All of this really overshadowed a special performance from Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen, doing it late without Williams or Austin Ekeler available. The Bolts host the Raiders this week, followed by the bye, which might not come at the worst time.”

CBS Sports: 22 (Previous: 22)

“They saved their season by winning at Minnesota, but Brandon Staley did what he could to lose the game. Why did he go for it late?”

ESPN: 14 (Previous: 17)

Offensive efficiency: 72.0 (3rd)

Biggest issue on offense: Running the ball

“After gaining 233 yards in the season-opening loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Chargers’ rushing offense has turned nonexistent. They have gained 91 yards on 36 carries over the last two games. In Sunday’s win over the Vikings, they averaged two yards per carry against a team allowing the third most rushing yards in the NFL coming into the game. The caveat is that the Chargers have been without starting running back Austin Ekeler, who has missed the last two weeks with an ankle injury. His return could turn this unit around.”

Yahoo Sports: 18 (Previous: 21)

“Mike Williams’ torn ACL is a huge injury, though one the Chargers should be able to navigate. Josh Palmer is underrated and he’ll see a bigger role. It puts a bright light on rookie first-round draft pick Quentin Johnston, who has played just 22% of the Chargers’ offensive snaps and has just 26 yards. If Johnston emerges, the Chargers can survive the Williams injury. It’s a big spot for the rookie, and how Johnston responds could determine where the Chargers’ season is going.”

Sports Illustrated: 15

“I don’t think it’s a secret that the Chargers avoided a special kind of hell against the Vikings. I credit Brandon Staley for not abandoning common-sense fourth-down decisions, even if the octogenarians on Fox NFL Sunday will tell you it shouldn’t be. His defense is slowly getting better situationally. I could easily see this team, with or without Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler, ripping off a longish winning streak.”

Chargers CB J.C. Jackson a healthy scratch in ‘coach’s decision’

J.C. Jackson has failed to live up to his big contract.

The Chargers surprisingly made cornerback J.C. Jackson a healthy inactive in their victory over the Vikings.

After the game, head coach Brandon Staley said the decision on Jackson was made because he felt that group of cornerbacks gave them their best chance to win today.

“Just we felt like going into this game that this was the group that we wanted to play with in this game,” Staley said. “Felt like it was going to give us the best chance. That’s what we did today. And I was really proud of the way our defense played today, especially the secondary.

Jackson worked his way back to live-game action after a ruptured patellar tendon ended his 2022 season. However, in what Staley called a “ramp-up period,” Jackson’s play left a lot to be desired in the first two games.

Jackson played just north of 60% of the defensive snaps against the Dolphins and Titans. In Week 1, Asante Samuel Jr. started in the slot and moved outside when Jackson came out of the game. Last week, Michael Davis rotated with Jackson when Jackson came out of the game.

Jackson was given a five-year, $82.5 million deal last offseason to lock down opposing team’s top wideouts, like Justin Jefferson. And it’s clear based on the decision to bench him for something non-injury related that the team doesn’t have faith in him to do so.

In Los Angeles’ win over Minnesota, they had Samuel and Davis on the outside and Ja’Sir Taylor in the slot.

Jefferson finished the game with seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown.

“Our guys really competed today against a good offensive group, and that group really brought us home at the end of the game,” Staley added.

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ thrilling win over Vikings

Here is how the internet reacted after the Chargers squeaked past the Vikings.

The Chargers are officially 1-2 after a thrilling win on the road against the Vikings.

Here are some reactions following the game.

 

Staff predictions for Chargers vs. Vikings in Week 3

Find out who the Chargers Wire staff is picking between Los Angeles and Minnesota.

The Los Angeles Chargers kick off Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 10:00 a.m. PT.

Who is going to come out victorious?

Here is a look at the predictions from each of our writers at Chargers Wire:

Gavino:

I expect this to be a high-scoring affair, as both offenses have shown to light up the scoreboard while their defenses have been suspect. This will likely come down to the last drive and I can see it now. It’ll be 27-27 with less than two minutes to play. The Vikings have the ball and easily scamper up the field to set up Greg Joseph for a 41-yard game-winning field goal. The ball splits the uprights and “Chargering” remains alive and well.

Vikings 30, Chargers 27

Alex K:

It seems fitting that a game between two deeply chaotic franchises would end with a scorigami – a final score never seen before in NFL history. Between LA’s inability to stop the pass and Minnesota’s inability to stop the run, both offenses should have free reign on Sunday. Unforced errors will be the deciding factor in the game – whether that be turnovers, missed kicks, or inopportune penalties. Ultimately, the evidence through two games says to trust the Chargers to make less of those, albeit barely.

Chargers 32, Vikings 26

Alex I:

In theory, this should be a winnable game for the Chargers. Minnesota’s defensive line doesn’t seem like it has the ability to win in the trenches against the Chargers. Justin Herbert and the receivers should be capable of taking successful, interspersed deep shots with a successful ground game.

But while LA will put up points, there is real, tangible fear about the state of their secondary. That’s ultimately what is preventing me from picking the Chargers. Brandon Staley’s unit leads the league in explosive plays allowed and has given up the most yards in the NFL through two games.

It would be awesome for this to be the game where the defense puts it together. But in earnestly projecting this game, I’m struggling to see a world where Michael Davis, Asante Samuel Jr., and J.C. Jackson figure out the Justin Jefferson conundrum. They also have to worry about Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.

It’ll be a shootout in Minnesota, but it’s difficult to see the Chargers coming up with critical third-down stops in this one.

Vikings 30, Chargers 27

Juliette:

I’m predicting an exciting game with an overall disappointing ending. The Chargers have struggled consistently with their passing defense, and the Vikings wide receiver corps is not to be trifled with. Vikings WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison should have a reasonably easy day finding separation from the Chargers cornerback room, who can’t seem to lock anyone up. The Vikings have also started their season 0-2 thanks to their poor defensive performances, so the Chargers should be able to carve their way through the Vikings’ defensive ranks and keep up for the first half of the game. With the current state of the 4th quarter Chargers, I don’t have much hope in them being able to close out the game against an opponent with such a problematic offense to contain. The only way that the Chargers can hold them back is if the defensive line and edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa can pressure Kirk Cousin, forcing some mistakes and turnovers. I’m predicting a 34-24 loss to the Vikings, which will land the Chargers at the bottom of their division with a 0-3 record.

Chargers make roster moves ahead of Week 3 vs. Vikings

Chargers OL Zack Bailey was signed to the active roster.

The Chargers made some roster moves ahead of their matchup with the Vikings.

Los Angeles signed offensive lineman Zack Bailey to the active roster. In correspondence, they waived undrafted rookie AJ Finley.

Additionally, L.A. promoted safety Dean Marlowe from the practice squad to the active roster.

Bailey, a preseason standout, appeared in one game for the Chargers last season. He played just four snaps. Bailey has the versatility to play tackle and guard.

Marlowe played in Week 2 against the Titans, posting 21 snaps on special teams.

Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Week 3 with Vikings Wire

Answers to a few burning questions about the Vikings ahead of their matchup with the Chargers on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings are about to duke it out as both teams are looking to pick up their first win.

Before the matchup, Vikings Wire managing editor Tyler Forness spoke with us about Los Angeles’ opponent.

How do you slow down such a player like Justin Jefferson?

VW: You have to have a player shadow him with physical press coverage and someone over the top. That is how we’ve seen the likes of Jaire Alexander, Darius Slay and even Jeff Okudah both slow him down and shut him down. He runs his routes with explosiveness and has the flexibility of Gumby. Jefferson is a truly special talent who is already the best non-quarterback in the league without having entered his prime yet.

A lot of Chargers fans wanted Jordan Addison in the draft. How has he already made such a big impact?

VW: Honestly, it isn’t anything special or out of the ordinary that we didn’t see at both USC and Pitt. Addison is finding ways to create separation and both of his touchdowns have come on post routes. His production has also come as the fourth option in the passing game, but he likely overtakes K.J. Osborn here shortly. Addison is just the type of player that can complement Jefferson.

How has the Brian Flores era been early on?

VW: Mixed results thus far. In week one, the defense held the Buccaneers to 90 yards in the first half and just 242 in the game as a whole. Overall, it’s been good, but the run defense against the Eagles was frustrating. The goal was to not let Hurts and the passing game beat them, but the light boxes with three edge rushers weren’t doing it. Flores challenged the Eagles to beat the Vikings with paper cuts and they obliged with 259 rushing yards.

What are you expecting from the newly signed Cam Akers?

VW: Right now, absolutely nothing. The running game issues are more than just who is playing running back. The scheme, blocking and effort in play calling are all making an impact in the poor performance in the running game. Akers has also struggled ever since tearing his Achilles tendon during August of 2021. Kevin O’Connell was there before and after Akers tore his Achilles tendon and has a sense of what the Vikings are getting, but will it matter much? Only time will tell, but I don’t see him as any semblance of a savior.

What area/position of the Vikings could determine the outcome of this game?

VW: It’s going to be all about the turnovers. The Vikings have turned it over a whopping seven times with a -6 turnover differential this season. The Chargers having not turned the ball over one single time presents an intriguing dichotomy. Who will end up regressing to the mean first? That could be the deciding factor in the game on Sunday.

Who is an under-the-radar Vikings that Chargers fans should know about?

VW: Rookie UDFA inside linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has not only been starting but playing well. What he doesn’t have is size. At 5’10” and 235 lbs, he succeeds most as a blitzing linebacker and he had a PFF pass-rush grade of 90.0 in week two against the Philadelphia Eagles. What he can’t do is shed a block in the running game and the Vikings can get taken advantage of in that area. When he’s blitzing, watch out.

What’s your prediction for the game?

VW: This game has the chance to get crazy. Both teams are 0-2 and have a history of crazy things happening to them that cause them to lose games. The offenses are high-octane with great weapons and quarterbacks who are both risk-averse in nature. The key to this game will be turnovers. The Vikings have turned it over seven times with the Chargers having not turned it over once. The Vikings see positive regression in this area and win an exciting shootout.

Vikings 34, Chargers 30

The Xs and Os: Justin Herbert vs. Brian Flores is a chess match to savor

When the Chargers and Vikings play on Sunday, pay attention to the chess match between Vikings DC Brian Flores and Chargers QB Justin Herbert.

Both the Los Angeles Chargers and the Minnesota Vikings come into Sunday’s matchup with 0-2 records, but we shouldn’t overlook this game from a schematic perspective. That’s because Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is one of the most unpredictable coaches in his position in the NFL, and Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has the physical and mental tools to nuke just about any weird defense you want to throw at him.

Moreover, the Chargers are getting it done in the run game as well, and this could be a problem Flores doesn’t want to revisit. In Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Flores started the game with some pressure looks, but called far more five-man “umbrella” coverages out of big nickel.

Per Sports Info Solutions, in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Vikings had a light box on 37% of their defensive snaps, which ranked 28th in the league. Against the Eagles, the Vikings had a light box on 63% of their defensive snaps, which led the league. The Eagles responded as you should against all those light boxes — by running the ball 48 times for 259 yards and three touchdowns. 

The Chargers have run the ball this season 61 times for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Both Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley have played well, so you wonder what the strategy will be here.

In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” Greg (of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup) and Doug (of Touchdown Wire) got into the adjustments Philly offensive coordinator Brian Johnson made against all those coverages, and what we might see in Week 3.

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The Vikings did give up two explosive plays to the Eagles in Week 2, and this is something to monitor, bccause both came against blitzes. There was this 54-yard pass to DeVonta Smith against a six-man pressure and Cover-2 in which both Smith and A.J. Brown were open on mirrored vertical routes…

…and this 63-yard pass to Smith — another six-man pressure and some highly questionable coverage on the back end.

The problem with Herbert, as the Tennessee Titans found out last Sunday, is that even when you throw drops into coverage at him post-snap, he can still make bang-on throws like this 42-yard laser to Keenan Allen.

And when pressured this season, per Pro Football Focus, Herbert has completed seven of 15 passes for 104 yards, two of his three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Most likely, Flores will pick his poisons carefully and switch it up against Herbert. No matter what, it’ll be a fascinating back-and-forth.

You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os” right here:

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You can also listen and subscribe to “The Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts.

Chargers prioritizing defending Justin Jefferson, Vikings’ potent passing offense

The Vikings have one of the league’s best passing offenses, while the Chargers have had issues defending it.

If the Chargers want to come away with their first win this Sunday, the primary focus will be slowing the Vikings and their prolific passing offense.

Through two weeks, Minnesota ranks No. 2, averaging 337 yards per game through the first two weeks of the season.

Kirk Cousins is tied for the most passing touchdowns (6) and has the second-most explosive pass plays (17), per Pro Football Focus.

Arguably the most significant factor in their success is star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who leads the NFL in receiving yards (309) and has the second-most targets (25) and catches (20) through two games.

“Justin’s very talented. He’s a long guy, has really good body control,” defensive coordinator Derick Ansley said about Jefferson. “He’s kind of limber, where his body can do things in the air that most people can’t.

“It’s going to be a really good challenge for us,” Ansley added. “We got a lot of respect for him … They got a really good bunch over there, so we got to do a really good job of doing our part and stopping them.”

It will take a collaborative effort from cornerbacks J.C. Jackson, Michael Davis and Asante Samuel Jr. to limit Jefferson as much as possible.

The Vikings’ weapons don’t stop there, however. They have WR Jordan Addison, who is off to a stellar rookie campaign. Addison has seven catches for 133 yards, with an average of 19 yards per reception and two scores.

Additionally, tight end T.J. Hockenson, the highest-paid at his position, is coming off a two-touchdown performance and has already seen 17 targets.

This will be a tall task for a Chargers defense that ranks dead last against the pass through the first two weeks, but they’re motivated to overcome their obvious flaws.

“Getting back to our technique and playing how we play,” cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor said, per the Chargers official website. “These first two weeks, that’s not the product we’ve been working toward.

“This week, we’ll get back to what we’ve been putting our hard work into and hopefully put out a great performance,” Taylor added.

Chargers’ reasons for optimism vs. Vikings

Here are four reasons to believe the Chargers come out on top.

The Chargers meet a spiritual equal on Sunday, facing a Vikings team well acquainted with the sort of heartbreak LA’s fans have come to expect.

With both teams standing at 0-2 despite productive offensive performances, something has to give.

Here are four reasons to believe Los Angeles comes out on top.