The Minnesota Vikings (3-3) and Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) open Week 8 on Thursday Night Football on October 23. Kickoff is set for in 8:15 p.m. ET from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. Vikings vs Chargers will broadcast live on Prime Video.
The Chargers are 3.5-point favorites over the Vikings on the spread (Chargers -3.5; -102), with the over/under set at 44.5. Los Angeles is a -185 moneyline favorite; Minnesota is a +154 underdog.
Let's get into my Vikings vs Chargers predictions and Thursday Night Football picks, plus the latest NFL odds, betting trends, weather forecast and more.
Vikings vs Chargers Prediction, Picks
- Vikings vs Chargers pick: Vikings +3.5
My Vikings vs Chargers best bet is on the Vikings to cover the spread. Find the best Thursday Night Football odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Vikings vs Chargers Odds, Lines
| Vikings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 44.5 -110o / -110u | +154 |
| Chargers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-3.5 -102 | 44.5 -110o / -110u | -185 |
Thursday Night Football Preview
When the Vikings Have the Ball
Carson Wentz is set to make another start for the injured J.J. McCarthy, and it’s fair to wonder if Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is using the injury as a way to quietly bench McCarthy, who struggled mightily in his first two games.
While far from perfect in relief of McCarthy, Wentz actually ranks 12th in EPA per dropback among 34 qualified quarterbacks. McCarthy ranks 59th out of 70 players who have attempted a pass this year — a few of the players he’s outperformed include: Derrick Henry, Chris Olave and kicker Josh Karty.
Needless to say, McCarthy has been one of the worst quarterbacks in his two-game sample size. If Wentz can lead the Vikings to a road win on a short week, he could remain the starter even when McCarthy is healthy.
The Vikings' passing attack got a huge boost with Jordan Addison returning from a three-game suspension, and he’s topped 100 yards in two of those three.
Left tackle Christian Darrisaw also helped stabilize the line once he returned in Week 3. Now, with Aaron Jones potentially returning from injured reserve, the run game could get a lift.
This might be the first time all season that the Vikings offense is fully healthy. And while Wentz is technically the backup, he’s probably the better quarterback at this point, meaning this offense could finally be playing closer to its ceiling.
The Vikings also face a Chargers defense that’s been struggling, ranking 22nd in DVOA.
Last week, Los Angeles was without safety Elijah Molden after trading away Alohi Gilman to the Ravens. The Chargers have the depth to avoid a major drop-off if Molden can’t return, but his status should still be monitored here.
When the Chargers Have the Ball
Justin Herbert threw for 420 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday against the Colts, though the big stat line came partly because of two costly interceptions that forced the Chargers into a pass-heavy script.
Herbert already had one of the better receiver trios in the league — with Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston — but last week also featured a breakout from rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II, who went off for seven catches, 164 yards and a touchdown. It was the most receiving yards in a game by a rookie tight end since 1985.
I had been talking up Gadsden for the last couple of weeks on our touchdown show and in my fantasy tiers piece, so I wasn’t surprised by the breakout. He gives me Darren Waller vibes and makes the Chargers' passing attack even tougher to stop.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves to blitz, sending an extra rusher 40% of the time, which is the second-highest rate in the league.
Herbert has been slightly better against the blitz, ranking 18th in EPA per dropback with four or fewer rushers and 12th against extra pressure. It will be critical for left tackle Joe Alt to return after missing three straight games with an ankle injury.
With Rashawn Slater already out for the season, the Chargers can’t afford for Alt to miss more time. He has allowed just three pressures on 142 of Herbert's dropbacks, compared to Austin Deculus allowing 16 pressures on 134 dropbacks while filling in on the blind side.
Alt’s status could have a real impact on both the spread and total, which the market often overlooks, but I think in Alt’s case it will trigger some line movement when we do get clarity on his availability.
Vikings vs Chargers Prediction, Spread Pick
My favorite play for this game is the prop I locked in Tuesday: Oronde Gadsden II over 37.5 receiving yards (-114). I also laddered it at 50+ and 70+. The line has since moved up to 44.5, which is about where I have him projected.
For the side, I’m taking Vikings +3.5.
This could be the healthiest the offense has been all year with Jordan Addison and Christian Darrisaw back, Aaron Jones potentially returning, and Wentz likely being their best option under center right now.
I like the Vikings spread even more if Joe Alt is ruled out, as I’d expect the line to drop to +3 everywhere. You could still grab +3.5 by buying the half point, but it would likely come at -130 or worse if he gets ruled out.
The Chargers don’t have much of a home-field advantage at SoFi Stadium, and I expect more purple than blue in the stands.
I might actually be at the game, rooting for Gadsden’s prop to hit, which would be helped if the Vikings play with the lead. And if they lose by three or fewer, I’ll still be fine.
And I’ll be doing my part by staying completely silent when Minnesota has the ball, so Carson Wentz can make his audibles and the line can hear his cadence. I promise to do my part as one out of 70,000 people in attendance.
For what it's worth, my Thursday Night Football best bets are 5-2 entering this game.
Pick: Vikings +3.5 (-110; BetMGM)
Vikings vs Chargers Spread Prediction
As I mentioned above, the Vikings to cover the spread (+3.5) is my best bet for TNF.
Moneyline
While I like the Vikings to cover, I will not be playing the moneyline.
Over/Under
I have no bet for the game total.
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Vikings vs Chargers Betting Trends
Vikings vs Chargers Viewing Info: Channel, Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. |
| Date: | Thursday, Oct. 23 |
| Time: | 8:15 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming Options: | Prime Video |
