The Chargers are back on track. The Vikings have major questions to answer. Los Angeles dominated Minnesota, 37-10.
Justin Herbert threw for three touchdown passes — the first to breakout rookie Oronde Gadsden II, the second to second-year standout Ladd McConkey, the third to rookie Tre Harris — and ran for 62 yards. He wasn’t the only one who got rolling on the ground: Kimani Vidal scored a touchdown and ran for 117 yards. It’s Vidal’s second 100-yard effort in three weeks; prior to that, his career high was 34 yards.
The Chargers (5-3) did not punt, their first time achieving that feat in a game since 2021.
Los Angeles also never trailed, but it was nearly a very different story. Isaiah Rodgers appeared to pick off Justin Herbert’s first pass of the night and return it for a touchdown, but it was ruled incomplete after replay.
Herbert took immediate advantage, ripping a 17-yard pass to Keenan Allen to convert third and 13. Eleven plays later, Herbert found Gadsden II for a touchdown.
Vidal powered in from 3 yards out on the next drive, making it 14-0 just over 17 minutes into the game.
After a Will Reichard field goal, the Chargers made it 21-3 just before halftime on a terrific nine-play, 94-yard drive. Herbert’s 27-yard toss to McConkey was picture perfect.
The Vikings (3-4) briefly got some hope midway through the third quarter. Down 24-3, Jalen Redmond tipped Herbert’s pass, and Josh Metellus came up with the interception. Thanks to a pair of fourth-down penalties by Los Angeles, Minnesota cashed in with Carson Wentz’s 4-yard pass to Jordan Addison.
That window of hope closed shortly thereafter. Vidal powered a 12-play, 82-yard touchdown drive that Harris capped with his first NFL touchdown, Wentz threw an interception to R.J. Mickens, and it was all window dressing from there.
Wentz, who sported a large brace on his left shoulder, took five sacks and several more hits and was seen wincing throughout the night. Wentz, filling in for J.J. McCarthy (ankle), finished 15 for 27 for 144 yards. The Vikings managed just 34 rushing yards compared to the Chargers’ 207.
Minnesota has lost three of four.
Keep it right here for CBS Sports’ takeaways from the game.