Vikings vs Chargers Betting Odds, Lines, Predictions, and Picks
- The Minnesota Vikings (3-5) visit the Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) in Week 10
- 2021 Record: 5-2, +2.51 units
- Kickoff is set for 4:05 pm EST from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles
For the Vikings and the Chargers, it’s been two very different seasons and two very different weeks.
Minnesota has been in every game. Despite a sub-.500 record, seven of their eight games have been decided by a touchdown or less. Things got even more complicated this week with the complex situation surrounding Dalvin Cook.
The Chargers started hot but narrowly avoided a three-game losing streak with a last-second win over Philly. LA’s atop the AFC West but has one eye on the rear-view mirror, where the Chiefs are lurking.
Kickoff on Sunday from Sofi Stadium is set for 4:05 pm EST on FOX.
Vikings vs Chargers Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | +145 | +3.0 (-105) | Ov 52.5 (-110) |
| Los Angeles Chargers | -165 | -3.0 (-115) | Un 52.5 (-110) |
Odds as of November 13th at DraftKings
The Chargers opened as 2.5-point favorites, with the line pushing to a full three mid-week. After starting off 4-1 against the spread, LA dropped two in a row before covering against Philadelphia. Minnesota’s results have been scattered; overall they’re 4-4 ATS but haven’t covered (or failed to) in more than two straight.
NFL Public Money saw a lot of action on LAC earlier in the week. In terms of total bettors were split, with DraftKings knocking it down to 52.5 on Friday.
Vikings vs Chargers Injury Report
The most significant status for Week 10 is Dalvin Cook’s.
Earlier in the week, Cook’s legal situation involving a former girlfriend came to light. It cast his status for Sunday into doubt initially, but Cook assured reporters throughout the week he would be playing. It appears he will play.
Week 10 Injury Report
| Vikings | Injury, Status | Chargers | Injury, Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Barr, LB | Knee, Out | Joey Bosa, LB | Ankle, Questionable |
| Michael Pierce, DT | Elbow, Doubtful | Mark Webb Jr, S | Knee, Questionable |
| Breshaud Breeland, CB | Groin, Out | Ryan Smith, CB | Knee, Out |
| N/A | N/A | Justin Jackson, RB | Quad, Doubtful |
| N/A | N/A | Michael Davis, CB | Hamstring, Doubtful |
| N/A | N/A | Keenan Allen, WR | Knee, Questionable |
| N/A | N/A | Nasir Adderley, S | Ankle, Questionable |
Making matters worse for the Vikings, they had to deal with a Covid outbreak throughout the week. Head coach Mike Zimmer was among 29 people to receive a test. One player was reportedly admitted to the emergency room with Covid-related breathing trouble.
As for the Chargers, a DNP for Keenan Allen on Wednesday was to rest his ailing knee. Joey Bosa was a mid-week addition to the injury report with his ankle injury. Starting corner Asante Samuel Jr missed Week 9 with a concussion but has been a full participant this week.
Vikings Continue to Come Up Short
It’s been a hard luck season for the Vikings. Three of their games have gone to overtime, winning one. When it comes to their losses, their point differential is minus-18.
Their 3-5 record could easily be 5-3. Maybe even 6-2.
All of the Vikings losses this season have been by 7 or less points. 😅 pic.twitter.com/Ar163r9zEv
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 11, 2021
With or without Cook, the Vikings have been good on the ground. They’re averaging 4.6 yards-per-carry, which is eighth in the league. Minny is 11th in rushing yards with 999, but have only scored three times.
Kirk Cousins has been having one of the best seasons of his career. His INT% is a miniscule 0.7% compared to the 16 TDs he’s thrown. Minnesota’s rankings don’t reflect how good their passing game has been, but they also don’t need to rely solely on it.
RED HOT: Kirk Cousins has been 🔥🔥🔥 in the red zone this season for the Minnesota Vikings pic.twitter.com/VK5q7bIRL9
— SKOR North (@SKORNorth) November 11, 2021
Defensively Mike Zimmer’s secondary has continued to produce. They’ve allowed the 11th-fewest passing yards and 12th-fewest first downs through the air. On the ground however, they’ve allowed the sixth-most yards, and 4.8 YPC which is second-most.
It was a collective effort that let them down against Baltimore, blowing leads of 17-3 and 24-10.
Herbert Makes Chargers’ Offense Go
Before a walk-off win against Philly, the Chargers offense had struggled, dropping games to the Ravens and Patriots.
But through the first five weeks of the season? Justin Herbert was slinging it all over the field.
Chargers Receiving Stats
| Player | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Yards per Reception | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keenan Allen | 82 | 57 | 600 | 10.5 | 2 |
| Mike Williams | 66 | 37 | 575 | 15.5 | 6 |
| Austin Ekeler | 45 | 36 | 325 | 9.0 | 3 |
| Jared Cook | 42 | 27 | 308 | 11.4 | 2 |
| Jalen Guyton | 22 | 11 | 158 | 14.4 | 0 |
| Donald Parham | 12 | 10 | 114 | 11.4 | 3 |
Keenan Allen has been his typical, consistent self. Allen has grabbed at least five balls in all but one game, logging less than 50 yards receiving just once this season.
Mike Williams has gone cold. Williams started with seven catches in four of five games. Since then he’s totaled six over his last three, for 104 yards and no TDs.
That dip didn’t seem to bother Justin Herbert in Philly, as he found nine different receivers for 356 yards and a pair of TDs.
Vikings vs Chargers Prediction
After a three-game stretch of scoring at least 28 points, LA has scored six, 24 and 27 in their last three. Six of LA’s games have gone under Sunday’s projected total, while five of Minnesota’s eight have finished under 52.5.
With LA getting one of their two starting CBs back from injury, things will be close on Sunday. And if the Vikings’ season is any indication, it’ll come down to the final possession.
The Pick: Under 52.5 (-110); 1 Unit
Bryan has spent the last decade working in the sports industry. From the sidelines in the OHL and Rugby League to behind the scenes at TSN, Bryan has a wealth of experience with a soft spot for props and parlays.
