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Los Angeles Chargers vs. Minnesota Vikings Preview, Pick, Odds

The Minnesota Vikings are considered favorites (-1) against the Los Angeles Chargers. This NFL matchup between the Chargers and Vikings even has Vegas stumped. If you visit game threads and posts on each team’s subreddits, they are even debating on who will win this game. The moneyline on this game is negative for both teams! Let’s take a look at this matchup and ultimately place a winning bet in my Chargers vs. Vikings preview, pick, and odds.

What makes this matchup particularly difficult to gauge is both the Chargers and Vikings are unpredictable, in fact, they are both consistently unpredictable. Both teams are notoriously known to lose games in tragic unexpected ways. Both teams have high-powered offenses that can score at will when they are not tripping on their own shoelaces. Cousins and Herbert are both top 10 in passing yards through Week 2. This should be an entertaining game, at least.

The Vikings put up a good fight against the Eagles on Thursday night last week. They could have won if Justin Jefferson had not fumbled out of the end zone resulting in a turnover.

The Chargers lost to the underwhelming Tennessee Titans on Sunday in overtime. A game they should have won, but a Titans field goal sealed the victory.

Chargers vs. Vikings Date, Start Time, And Where To Watch

Date: Sunday, September 24, 2023

Start Time: 1:00 pm ET

Where to Watch: FOX

Chargers vs. Vikings Odds

Moneyline: Chargers -108, Vikings -112

Spread: Chargers +1, Vikings -1

O/U: 54

Chargers vs. Vikings Preview

Both teams are 0-2, both teams are desperate for a win to salvage their seasons. I believe the Vikings will prevail with the efforts of Jefferson and Cousins. Both teams have major concerns on defense, which is why the over/under at 54 is the highest of the week. 

Joey Bosa is questionable to play Sunday, if he cannot play that would be a huge hit to the Chargers’ defense. Also, Austin Ekeler is out, and his replacement Joshua Kelley, did not run the ball well against Tennessee. Kelley ran for 39 yards on 13 carries. The Titans rushing defense is no slouch though, they have been holding opponents to only 2.7 YPC through Week 2. Kelley may be able to run more effectively against the Vikings who have allowed 4.1 YPC. With no Ekeler, it’s tough backing the Chargers in my Chargers vs. Vikings preview.

If Ekeler, who was already ruled out, and Bosa, cannot play Sunday, the Chargers’ offense and defense could be in trouble. Coach Staley could be keeping the news on Bosa’s health close to his chest, and both players may actually play Sunday.

My Chargers vs. Vikings preview will be backing the healthier team at home. The Vikings will out-gun the Chargers, and cover the -1 spread, and I predict the over (54) on this game.

Chargers vs. Vikings Pick

– Vikings -1  (-112 @Draftkings)