INGLEWOOD — Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert torched the Minnesota Vikings during the team’s 37-10 victory on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium. The offensive line’s protection was more than adequate for him, the ground game clicked when needed and the receiving corps found plenty of open turf.
The only question after the Chargers’ widest margin of victory of the season was why they don’t do this more often. They jumped on the Vikings from their opening possession and also stuffed Minnesota’s offense for the better part of 60 minutes while improving their record to 5-3.
Herbert completed 18 of 25 passes for 227 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Three different receivers caught touchdown passes. Herbert also was a willing runner with 62 yards on seven carries, breaking into the open when the protection broke down and his targets were covered.
Kimani Vidal rushed for 117 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries.
Cameron Dicker kicked three field goals.
The Chargers hardly looked like the same team that lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 38-24, on the same field on Sunday. They scored touchdowns on their first two possessions Thursday and blanked the Vikings on their first two, building a 14-0 lead only minutes into the second quarter.
Maybe it was the uniforms.
The Chargers ditched the all-gold uniforms that were universally panned by fans of good taste from near and far before, during and after Sunday’s game. Instead, the Chargers wore a much more attractive set of all-navy jerseys and pants that harkened back to the San Diego Super Chargers Era.
Then again, maybe it was the opponent.
The Vikings (3-4) simply aren’t at the same elite level as the Colts (6-1).
Left tackle Joe Alt returned to the starting lineup for the first time since spraining his ankle in the first quarter of the Chargers’ loss to the New York Giants on Sept. 28. But right guard Mekhi Becton then exited in the first quarter Thursday because of a knee injury, replaced by Foster Sarell.
Herbert was unfazed by the Vikings’ defensive pressure, leading the Chargers to three touchdown drives and a 21-3 lead by halftime. Herbert sandwiched touchdown passes of 8 yards to Oronde Gadsden and 27 yards to Ladd McConkey around Kimani Vidal’s 3-yard scoring run.
When the protection broke down, Herbert scrambled for big gains, rushing for 51 yards on five carries in the first half. He also completed 14 of 18 passes for 191 yards and two touchdown passes as the Chargers dominated in most aspects of the game, including total net yards, 266-93.
The Chargers limited the Vikings to only Will Reichard’s 54-yard field goal that trimmed their lead to 14-3 with 8:55 remaining in the half. The Chargers responded by driving 94 yards in nine plays, capped by Herbert’s touchdown pass to McConkey with 45 seconds remaining in the half.
Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz was under pressure from the start. The Chargers sacked him three times in the first half. Defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe was credited with two sacks and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh had one. Eboigbe was starting because of injuries on the D-line.
In the third quarter, the Vikings countered Dicker’s 43-yard field goal with Wentz’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Addison with 4:36 left in the period, capitalizing on Joshua Metellus’ interception of an errant pass from Herbert. The Chargers took a 24-10 into the fourth quarter
Naturally, the news couldn’t be all good Thursday for the Chargers. Derwin James Jr. injured his ankle in the early minutes of the game and he was later ruled out for the rest of the contest. Fellow safety Tony Jefferson then followed James to the sideline with a hamstring injury.
The good news for the Chargers is that they get a weekend mini-break to rest and recover before returning to the practice field next week to prepare for a road game against the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 2. Given their many bumps, bruises, sprains and strains, it couldn’t come at a better time.
More to come on this story.