4 Takeaways From the Chargers’ Win Over the Vikings on Thursday Evening

[ad_1] INGLEWOOD, Calif. - They wanted this one, however the Los Angeles Chargers at all times discover a solution to make issues attention-grabbing.

The Chargers gave the visiting Minnesota Vikings some hope with an ill-timed turnover and a few head-scratching penalties earlier than lastly shutting the door, seizing a 37-10 victory on Thursday at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers (5-3) earned a much-needed win getting into a mini-bye week, whereas the Vikings' fell under .500 for the primary time this season at 3-4 and face the Detroit Lions on the street subsequent week.

Listed below are my takeaways:

1. Justin Herbert will get improved safety from the O-line Getting into Thursday’s contest, Herbert had been sacked 20 occasions – tied for fifth-most within the NFL – and pressured a league-high 135 occasions. Nonetheless, left deal with Joe Alt returned to the beginning lineup after lacking three video games with a excessive ankle sprain, offering some stability up entrance as Herbert’s blindside protector. Herbert flourished, ending 18-of-25 for 227 yards, with three landing passes and an interception, additionally working for 62 yards.

Herbert was sacked simply as soon as. The Chargers had been lucky {that a} Herbert interception returned for a landing by Isaiah Rodgers on the opening drive of the sport was reversed and referred to as incomplete by replay officers.

The Chargers additionally lastly bought the working recreation going, with Kimani Vidal dashing for 117 yards on 23 carries and a rating.

Nonetheless, the damage bug bit the Chargers once more. Proper guard Mekhi Becton needed to go away the sport with an ankle damage, whereas safeties Derwin James (ankle) and Tony Jefferson (hamstring) additionally missed time due to accidents.

2. Carson Wentz struggles with uneven efficiency Wentz had been 7-0 as a starter in Thursday evening video games however suffered his first loss in opposition to the Bolts. Wentz entered Thursday’s recreation 2-2 because the Vikings' starter since taking up for J.J. McCarthy, who suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 2. Wentz had been strong in reduction however struggled to handle the soccer with 4 interceptions.

That continued in opposition to the Chargers. Wentz accomplished 15-of-27 passes for 144 yards, with a landing and an interception. The Vikings misplaced left deal with Christian Darrisaw to a knee damage early within the recreation, and Wentz was underneath siege a lot of the recreation, getting sacked 5 occasions.

The Vikings may get McCarthy again subsequent week, however head coach Kevin O’Connell should decide if a street recreation in Detroit is the best touchdown spot for his inexperienced, second-year quarterback.

3. Oronde Gadsden II emerges as go-to receiver for the Bolts The Bolts are recognized for top-flight tight ends, together with Corridor of Famers Antonio Gates and Kellen Winslow. Properly, one other playmaker is having a breakout season as a rookie.

Chosen within the fifth spherical of this yr’s draft, Gadsden bought into the tip zone for a second recreation in a row after seven catches for 164 yards and a landing in a breakout efficiency final week in opposition to the Colts. On Thursday evening, he completed with 5 receptions for 77 yards and a rating.

The son of former Miami Dolphins receiver Oronde Gadsden, at 6-foot-5 and 250 kilos, the youthful Gadsden has the pace and wiggle of a receiver in a much bigger physique who can break tackles down the sector.

4. Vikings can’t get the working recreation going Minnesota went into Thursday’s contest as one of many worst dashing offenses within the league, averaging 103 dashing yards a contest (No. 20 within the NFL). Sadly for the Vikings, it was extra of the identical on Thursday evening as they completed with simply 18 dashing yards.

O’Connell should determine a solution to create some steadiness on offense to guard Wentz and a sputtering passing recreation. Even with Aaron Jones activated from the injured reserve after rehabbing a hamstring damage, Minnesota couldn’t get something occurring the bottom, which isn't a superb signal for the place this crew desires to be on the finish of the yr.

4 1/2. What's subsequent? The Chargers shall be optimistic about their offensive line transferring ahead after their efficiency in opposition to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' unit. In response to Subsequent Gen Stats, Herbert completed 13-of-15 for 162 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception in opposition to Minnesota’s blitz, his fourth-most passing yards in opposition to the blitz in a recreation in his profession.

Getting Alt again was a superb begin, though Becton's loss may show huge transferring ahead. Herbert was optimistic about how the offensive line will carry out transferring ahead.

"We had a terrific safety plan," Herbert stated. "We had been ready for lots of the blitzes they had been going to deliver. It’s simply popping out, scrambling and doing no matter we are able to to transform these third downs."

Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, protecting the Los Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Observe him on X at @eric_d_williams.