The Los Angeles Chargers trounced the Minnesota Vikings 37-10 on Thursday night.
The Vikings looked to bounce back from a tough loss to the Philadelphia Eagles just four days prior. Both teams tonight came into the short week battered by injuries.
Minnesota’s offense took the ball first and stalled out on the opening drive with just one first down. There was an early flicker of optimism soon thereafter when it looked like Isaiah Rodgers snagged another pick-six, but it was overturned after further review.
Justin Herbert throws a PICK SIX on his FIRST pass of the game😬 Vikings defense takes it the other way #Chargers #Vikings #NFL #LACvsMIN pic.twitter.com/pUWBubdnEX
— Aggregate Sports (@AggregateSports) October 24, 2025
The Chargers made the most of the reprieve, marching down the field to score a touchdown and take a lead they would never come close to relinquishing. The Vikings would only manage to score three points in the first half on a 50-plus-yard Will Reichard field goal to go into the break down 21-3; Reichard would miss a 53-yard kick to end the half.
The Vikings finally made it into the end zone in the third quarter following an interception from Herbert. A few fortunately timed penalties helped them stay on the field long enough to eventually get a Jordan Addison touchdown. That’s all the scoring they would be doing for the remainder of the game, although Los Angeles kept stacking points.
Here are five numbers to break down Minnesota’s brutal loss to the Chargers.
66.7%
The Chargers had a pressure rate of 66.7% on Minnesota’s first two drives. The Vikings’ offensive line looked abysmal early on, allowing LA’s defensive line to walk all over them. The offense didn’t put themselves in advantageous positions, getting behind the sticks early.
LA’s defense brought pressure early and often against a Vikings O-line that was already without Brian O’Neill, and later without Christian Darrisaw. That group had struggled all season, and its woes were only amplified on Thursday night. The Chargers’ stunts consistently beat the interior resistance.
We all knew going into this game that Minnesota’s offensive line was going to be an issue. Still, it feels like they hit a new low on Thursday night, especially with Carson Wentz, who struggled to get the ball out on time.
10
The Vikings had just 10 rushing yards at the half. Last week, I noted that the Vikings had only 15 rushing yards at the half, their lowest total since Week 16 of the 2023 season. It only took them one game to go lower than that with a hapless-looking run game.
Before the game, it looked like Minnesota’s ground attack might get a boost from Aaron Jones’ return from the IR. The offense couldn’t get anything going in the run game, as LA’s defensive line dominated.
The Vikings got away from the run after falling behind early. While Wentz was bad early on, the lack of balance in the playcalling made it even harder for him to make positive plays because the defensive line was prepared to rush the passer.
5
The Vikings have failed to score a touchdown in the first half in five of their games. Last season, they got off to fast starts, but this season has been the exact opposite. We have seen time and again that the offense has put all of the pressure on the defense, forcing them to make constant stops to stay in the game.
The offense seems fully devoid of identity, struggling to create holes in the running game and to protect the quarterback. When they do keep the QB clean, he’s unable to make a decisive read to get the ball out.
Some thought this was an issue with J.J. McCarthy. However, this clearly is an issue with the offense in general, because Wentz also struggled.
While the defense has obliged them in games against the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns, it has been a bridge too far against good teams.
208
LA’s offense ran for 208 yards against Minnesota. Last week, the Vikings received praise based on how well they handled the Eagles’ dynamic run game, bottling both Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts to under 50 rushing yards. However, it was the exact opposite this week. Both the Chargers’ fourth-string running back, Kimani Vidal, and Justin Herbert killed the Vikings on the ground all game long.
Early on, it looked like the Vikings would bear down against the run, with Jonathan Greenard coming off the blind side and stopping Vidal in the backfield for a loss of three on LA’s first play of the game. Given how badly the Vikings trailed at halftime, the defense had to gamble more often, and the Chargers’ offense was able to wear down an already gassed Vikings front.
Herbert was incredible with his legs all night. He would easily avoid pressure and either take off with his legs, beating the Vikings linebackers time and time again, or sink deeper in the pocket and find an open man over the middle.
The juxtaposition between the teams’ quarterbacks became clear: Wentz would take horrific sacks, while Herbert was able to create with his legs.
0
The Vikings have won zero games on the road on Thursday Night Football. As in none, ever. Coming into the week, there were many pregame narratives about the game — Wentz’s undefeated record on Thursday night, Minnesota’s record in prime time on the West Coast. Finally, Minnesota’s inability to win on the road on Thursday.
While all of these are just pregame narratives that don’t mean much, it is interesting to track these historical trends. The Vikings have now played eight Thursday night games, all of which have been losses.