After the Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings combined for 23 regular-season wins last year, they’re both 0-2 to start this campaign after losses to rebuilding squads.
These teams still have some January aspirations, though, so let’s get into the odds and some best bets for their matchup.
Chargers vs Vikings Odds
NFL odds used for this Los Angeles vs Minnesota preview were found at DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of September 19th at 1:30 AM ET.
- Moneyline: Chargers (-115) • Vikings (-110)
- Spread: Chargers -1 (-110) • Vikings +1 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 54 (-110) • Under 54 (-110)
- Implied Score: Chargers 27.5, Vikings 26.5
Chargers vs Vikings Predictions
Score Pick: Vikings 31, Chargers 30
An 0-2 start is bad, as about 10% of teams that begin the season with that record have made the playoffs – including just one since 2018. But only one 0-3 team out of 99 since 2002 has gone on to make it to the postseason, so both of the Chargers and Vikings will be pushing hard to avoid that fate.
The Vikings have been hit hard by regression after going a miraculous 11-0 in one-score games during the last campaign. They’ve already lost two such contests through two weeks this season.
The Chargers have two tight losses as well, and their point differential is just -5. Their problem is familiar, though. Head coach Brandon Staley is an absolute disaster, and his late-game ineptitude makes it almost impossible for them to win close contests.
Wasting Justin Herbert’s prime is a crime, but it will continue here with an 0-3 start.
The Vikings’ bounce back is coming because the fumbles simply cannot continue at this rate, and QB Kirk Cousins’ solid play has to eventually result in a victory.
Dating back to last regular and postseason, the Chargers have averaged 29 points in their last four games – all of those have been losses, all by less than a score.
The defense keeps letting Herbert and company down, and a meeting with Kevin O’Connell and Justin Jefferson is not the time to get right.
Winning by one score over and over is fluky, but losing by one score repeatedly is indicative of systemic failure.
The Chargers won’t go 0-17 this season, but while their first win will have to wait at least another week, Staley’s firing might be on the way even sooner.
Chargers vs Vikings Best Bets & Props
Over 54 (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
The matchup between the Vikings receivers and the Chargers secondary is a contributing factor when it comes to the over, but as my NFL bet of the day, there are reasons for this wager from both sides of the field.
As much as L.A. has struggled defensively despite Staley’s theoretical expertise in that area, the offense has been strong, led by the super-talented Herbert.
Even with versatile star running back Austin Ekeler out, the Oregon product has plenty of potential targets, such as wideout duo Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, and he should have a great day against Minnesota’s 30th-ranked pass rush – which is ahead of only the Bears and Texans in that area on PFF’s grading system.
Vikings (-105)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
With tight margins and a one-point spread, it doesn’t really pay to take the Vikings’ spread. Instead, we’re going to go ahead and take the moneyline in what would be the smallest possible “upset” of the season.
It’s a tough call with so much talent on the Chargers side, but they’ve failed to put it together for extended stretches of time, especially to close games.
The secondary is 30th in PFF’s rankings, and against Jefferson – as well as excellent rookie wideout Jordan Addison – that is going to be a backbreaker just about every time.
1H & Final Winner: Chargers/Vikings (+750)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 units
This wager, providing excellent value for a half-unit play, is a small investment in the most predictable game script.
The Chargers have more than enough talent to come in with a solid approach and grab some early points. They’ve scored first in every one of those four consecutive crushing losses, including when they built a 27-0 playoff lead over the Jaguars.
But as the game goes on, O’Connell is more able than Staley to make the necessary adjustments, and his Vikings are liable to be the beneficiaries of yet another Chargers collapse.
Chargers vs Vikings Same Game Parlay
Chargers vs Vikings SGP (+425)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 unit
- Chargers 1Q +1.5 (-190)
- Vikings Over 27.5 (+115)
- Chargers 1H Over 13.5 (-110)
Once more, we’re betting against the Chargers defense and late-game management, but we’re investing in their talent earlier in the game.
There’s no doubt that there should be scoring in this one, and the Vikings’ high-powered attack can definitely find four touchdowns at home, or at least three and a handful of field goals.
The Chargers are poised to come out strong and falter down the stretch, so we’ll grab a couple of their first half and quarter props.
