The San Diego Chargers will take on the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 1 PM. ET.
Chargers Vs Vikings Week 3 Betting Odds
BetOnline.ag has Minnesota as a 2 point favorite to win this game. The over/under on the total points scored is 44.5. Click here for a full BetOnline review.
My Pick
In week two, the Chargers struggled to generate a consistent pass rush all game. The lack of pass rush lead to a solid day for Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. In week three, the Chargers will have to deal with Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson.
Through the first two weeks, Teddy Bridgewater has completed 74% of his passes. While he only has one touchdown on the year, he’s a tremendously efficient passer that can manage the game.
Adrian Peterson, so far, has not looked completely comfortable in the offense. Before his suspension last year, Peterson was the central focus of the Vikings’ offense. Since his return, Peterson has made progress returning to form. Against the 49ers in week one, Peterson had a total of 31 yards on ten attempts. In week two, Peterson rushed for 134 yards on 29 carries. That’s an average of 4.6 yards a carry. Despite his week two improvement, Peterson has yet to find the end zone this season.
The biggest matchup in this game is the running backs of both teams. Even though Adrian Peterson and Melvin Gordon won’t go directly against each other, Gordon could represent the new generation of running backs entering the league. In week one, Gordon struggled to breakout. However, in week two, he showed glimpses of his first round talent.
Melvin Gordon might one day breakout as the next great Chargers’ running back. More likely than not, the running back who will make the biggest difference this week is Danny Woodhead. At 5’8” he is an elusive runner that is hard to pick up and spot behind mammoth offensive linemen. His vision makes him a threat out of the backfield as a runner, but it’s in the passing game where he makes the greatest impact.
A dependable receiving back is important in most offenses. In an era of deemphasizing the running back position, teams that utilize a running back as a receiver have an advantage over teams that try to overpower a defensive front that’s well fortified.
Danny Woodhead is one of the best receiving backs in the league. Against the Vikings, expect Woodhead to have a breakout performance. Woodhead is a matchup nightmare for Minnesota. The Chargers should try to connect underneath to Woodhead in a “take what the defense gives” approach.
Phillip Rivers, through two weeks, has completed 80.9% of his passes. However, he’s thrown 3 interceptions so far, to go along with four touchdowns. Rivers has been efficient and should continue to have offensive success against a weak Minnesota defense.
The Vikings will have to attempt to slow a powerful offense with a defense that’s struggled through the first two weeks of the season. The best defense, however, might be a good offense. If Adrian Peterson can control the tempo of the game by running the clock and keeping the Chargers off the field then, the Vikings have a shot. The Chargers run defense is the weak point of their defensive unit and running into Adrian Peterson won’t make things easier. If Peterson can soften the Chargers defense by pulling more men into the box, then Bridgewater might take a shot deep and exploit the Chargers secondary with a big play.
Expect a run heavy game by the Vikings to cover the spread and get the victory.
Play: Vikings -2 @ BetOnline.ag
betting • Chargers • NFL • Vikings • Week 3