Lightning Strikes Twice: Chargers Dominate Vikings 37-10 in Thursday Night Football Showcase Behind Herbert’s 3 TDs and a Ground Game Resurgence

INGLEWOOD, CA – October 24, 2025 – The Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) delivered a commanding performance on Thursday Night Football, dismantling the Minnesota Vikings (3-4) in a decisive 37-10 victory at SoFi Stadium. Quarterback Justin Herbert electrified the home crowd, throwing for three touchdowns and surpassing a monumental NFL career milestone, while the Chargers’ defense held the Vikings’ offense in check all evening. The win breaks a frustrating three-game skid and firmly re-establishes the LA Chargers as a contender in the AFC.

Herbert finished the night completing 18 of 25 passes for 227 yards and the three scores, posting a stellar 122.8 passer rating. Crucially, the Chargers’ ground game provided the balance needed for a sustained attack, racking up over 200 total rushing yards. This dominant showing, particularly in a primetime matchup, provided significant takeaways for analysts, fantasy players, and fans on both sides of the vikings vs chargers rivalry.

Herbert Sets NFL Record as Chargers’ Offense Finds Balance

The focal point of the Chargers’ success was undoubtedly the arm and legs of their franchise quarterback, Justin Herbert. Early in the game, Herbert’s second completion of the night, a 17-yard hook-up with veteran Keenan Allen, was more than just a first down; it cemented Herbert’s place in the NFL history books, surpassing Hall of Famer Peyton Manning for the most completions by a player through the first six seasons of a career.

Herbert’s three touchdown passes were spread across his receiving corps, highlighting the team’s depth. Rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II hauled in an 8-yard score, second-year receiver Ladd McConkey snagged a 27-yard strike, and fellow rookie wideout Tre Harris found the end zone in the fourth quarter. The Chargers went 9-for-13 on third down conversions, often thanks to Herbert’s exceptional play-extending ability and his own 62 rushing yards, which kept the Vikings’ defense guessing.

Kimani Vidal Erupts: Ground Game Delivers Knockout Blow

While Herbert shone, the true story of the offensive turnaround was the emergence of running back Kimani Vidal. Stepping into the starting role due to injuries on the Chargers depth chart, the second-year back exploded for 117 rushing yards and his first career rushing touchdown. The powerful, physical runner wore down the Minnesota defensive front, with 93 of his yards coming in the second half—a testament to the Chargers’ offensive line and Vidal’s tenacity.

Vidal’s performance validates the team’s confidence in their next-man-up philosophy and offers a crucial element of stability as the Chargers game schedule moves forward. His effectiveness in prime time makes him a major new storyline for the chargers football team.

Minnesota Vikings’ Struggles Intensify on Both Sides of the Ball

For the Minnesota Vikings, the evening was one to forget. Despite the anticipated return of running back Aaron Jones, the Vikings’ offense struggled mightily, totaling a mere 12 first downs and holding the ball for only 21 minutes. Quarterback Carson Wentz, starting in place of an injured J.J. McCarthy, was under constant duress, getting sacked five times and managing just 144 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception.

The lone bright spot for the mn vikings was a third-quarter drive, which culminated in a Jordan Addison touchdown catch, temporarily cutting the lead to 24-10. However, the Chargers immediately answered, demonstrating a lack of defensive resistance that plagued the minnesota vikings vs chargers matchup all night. Key injuries further compounded the Vikings’ woes, as key starters like Left Tackle Christian Darrisaw left the game early, leaving the patchwork offensive line exposed to the Chargers’ relentless pass rush, led by standout performances from Justin Eboigbe and Tuli Tuipulotu.

Chargers Highlight ‘Thursday Night Football’ Winners and Losers

The lopsided final score of 37-10 created a clear division between those who rose to the primetime challenge and those who faltered.

Winners:

• Justin Herbert (Chargers QB): Not just for the three TDs and the win, but for setting the all-time completions record through a player’s first six seasons, proving his elite status in the league.
• Kimani Vidal (Chargers RB): His 100-yard-plus rushing performance solidifies his place as the Chargers’ primary back and a rising star.
• Ladd McConkey & Oronde Gadsden II (Chargers Pass-Catchers): Both delivered crucial touchdowns and showed a dynamic connection with Herbert, indicating great future potential.
• Chargers Defense: Five sacks, an interception by rookie RJ Mickens, and holding a professional offense to 10 points and 164 total yards. A stellar outing.

Losers:

• Carson Wentz (Vikings QB): Despite his effort while playing through injury, five sacks and an interception are a reflection of an offense that couldn’t protect him or move the ball consistently.
• Vikings Offensive Line: They could not generate any push in the run game (34 team rushing yards) or provide adequate pass protection, a core issue in this vikings game.
• Justin Jefferson (Vikings WR): Though he is one of the league’s top receivers, the lack of opportunities and sustained drives limited his impact, making his stats disappointing for fantasy managers relying on him.
• Jonathan Greenard (Vikings EDGE): The Vikings’ defense, despite some individual efforts, could not generate enough consistent pressure or stop the ground game, leading to a blowout.

NFL DFS Picks, Thursday Night Football: Vikings-Chargers Daily Fantasy Takeaways

For Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) players on platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel, the Thursday Night Football tonight matchup delivered a few clear successes and major disappointments for those who played it safe.

Top DFS Performers:

• Justin Herbert (QB, Chargers): A must-start who delivered the high-end scoring expected. His rushing yards were a bonus that put him over the top.
• Kimani Vidal (RB, Chargers): The clear value play of the night. With a lower salary than expected, his 100+ yards and a score made him a cornerstone of winning lineups.
• Chargers D/ST: A high-scoring defensive performance with multiple sacks and a low points-allowed total, proving to be an excellent leverage play against the Vikings’ injured QB situation.

DFS Busts and Underperformers:

• Justin Jefferson (WR, Vikings): High salary, but limited production due to the overall offensive collapse. A classic Showdown disappointment.
• Jordan Mason (RB, Vikings): While Mason saw the expected volume, the offensive line’s inability to block meant his jordan mason stats were inefficient, failing to meet value.
• Quentin Johnston (WR, Chargers): Despite the overall Chargers success, Johnston had a quiet night, being outperformed by rookie teammates, a continuing trend in his season.

Looking Ahead to NFL Week 9

The Los Angeles Chargers move to 5-3 on the season and will carry significant momentum into their Week 9 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The Chargers schedule appears favorable for a continued run. The Minnesota Vikings (3-4) face a tough road ahead, including a critical NFC North battle against the 5-2 Detroit Lions, needing a significant turnaround to salvage their season and alter any vikings vs chargers prediction negativity.

Hashtags,#Chargers #Vikings #BoltUp #SKOL #JustinHerbert #TNF #ThursdayNightFootball #NFL #KimaniVidal #ChargersVsVikings #NFLNews