Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles Chargers 10/23/2025
Here we go again under the lights at SoFi: Minnesota at Los Angeles, Thursday night, 8:15 p.m. ET, and it’s the kind of Week 8 game that screams momentum swing. The Chargers have been a little roller-coaster, but are still pushing in the AFC West race, while the Vikings are trying to steady things after a tight loss and a tricky quarterback situation. For bettors, the lens is clear: the Vikings are scoring about 24.2 points per game through six, the Chargers sit around 21.6 per game through seven, and both sides have defenses living in the low-20s allowed. That’s fertile ground for an Over/Under conversation and a real conversation about whether Justin Herbert can carry this on a short week with a banged-up tackle situation or if Carson Wentz—yes, that Carson Wentz—can keep the Vikings moving with clean decision-making and a balanced run game.
Minnesota has traveled, tested, and dealt with its share of injuries; Los Angeles has had a few trips through the training room, too. Jim Harbaugh’s group is tough at home, 2-2 so far in their building, while Kevin O’Connell’s team is 2-1 away from Minneapolis. This one plays like a possession game in the fourth quarter, with explosives possible from both passing attacks—and enough defensive stress on early downs to swing toward a sharper quarterback and better situational football. Let’s break down how to bet it.
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Our betting predictions for the match Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles Chargers
Primary Tip: Spread — Los Angeles Chargers -3.0
Our betting prediction 1: Spread — Los Angeles Chargers -3.0 at -115 with FanDuel Sportsbook. If you’re asking me to channel the inner insider brain, this comes down to Herbert’s command against a defense allowing roughly 20.8 points per game and a Minnesota offense leaning on Wentz to stay on schedule. The Chargers at home, off a humbling outing, with Harbaugh dialing situational aggression, is a spot I like by a field goal or more. With both tackles banged up, the quick game and tempo should still carry L.A. across the line. Pick: Chargers -3.0 at -115 with FanDuel.
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Tip 2: Total — Over 42.5 Points
Our betting tip 2: Total — Over 42.5 points at -110 with FanDuel Sportsbook. Both teams live around the low-20s per game on offense, and the math points north of this number when you add pace and pass rate on a short week. Wentz’s recent efficiency (about 7.6 yards per attempt lately) plus Herbert’s chunk-play capability make this a game where mid-20s each is well within reach. Add in special teams variance and fourth-down aggression from both staffs, and the Over has life late. Pick: Over 42.5.
Tip 3: Moneyline — Los Angeles Chargers to Win
Our prediction 3: Moneyline — Los Angeles Chargers to win at best odds (BetMGM Sportsbook). This is a coaching and quarterback trust play. Harbaugh in prime time at home, with Herbert managing protection issues via tempo and spacing, is the lean. Minnesota’s travel load and injury questions on both lines tilt the in-game adjustment edge to L.A. If you prefer less sweat than the -3, the moneyline at Fanatics is a workable price in a one-score game script. Pick: Chargers moneyline.
Team news
Minnesota is navigating the short week with a big quarterback headline: Carson Wentz is expected to start again while J.J. McCarthy (ankle) trends as an emergency option. There are questions on the Vikings’ offensive and defensive fronts, which is never ideal on Thursday. The positive for Minnesota is Wentz’s recent ball security and a ground game that flashed burst with Jordan Mason last time out.
Los Angeles is wrestling with tackle injuries—particularly the Joe Alt situation, trending doubtful—which means protection and the quick-game menu will be emphasized. The secondary has its own question marks, though Harbaugh’s defense has been opportunistic in spots and has leaned on pressure looks to manufacture negative plays.
Los Angeles Chargers performance check
Head coach: Jim Harbaugh. At SoFi, these Chargers are 2-2, and overall they’ve been in tight games—scoring about 21.6 per outing while giving up roughly 23.3. The recent five-game form sits at 2-3, with their latest result a 24-38 home loss to the Colts that exposed some protection issues and put pressure on situational defense. Herbert still flashed his arm talent—he’s hovered over the 300-yard mark in strong recent efforts—and when Keenan Allen gets volume, this offense keeps chains moving.
The concern is the edge protection on a short week; without both starting tackles at full speed, Harbaugh’s likely counterpunch is rhythm passing and RPO wrinkles. That also tends to speed up the game and can keep the offense efficient on early downs. On defense, L.A. has had trouble stringing tackles after the catch, but they do find ways to create pressure and force third-and-long—key against a Vikings offense that wants balance.
How is the current performance of the Minnesota Vikings
Head coach: Kevin O’Connell. Away from home, Minnesota’s been steady at 2-1, averaging about 24.2 points per game while allowing approximately 20.8. They’re 2-3 across their last five and coming off a 22-28 home loss to the Eagles, a game that showed resilience but underscored how narrow the margins are without J.J. McCarthy available and with ongoing offensive line and defensive front questions.
Wentz’s last three starts have trended efficiently: around a 69 percent completion rate, roughly 7.6 yards per attempt, and about 253 passing yards per game. Justin Jefferson can flip a quarter by himself; he just put up 75 yards on five catches in limited second-half work two weeks back, and that threat changes coverage math for a Chargers secondary that’s been game but inconsistent. The run game—with Jordan Mason pounding out 7.3 yards per carry in his last outing—helps Minnesota keep a balanced call sheet.
Team Statistics
- – Chargers scoring profile: about 21.6 points per game; points allowed about 23.3 per game. At home, they’re 2-2 with performances that frequently hinge on red-zone finishing and fourth-down calls.
- – Vikings scoring profile: about 24.2 points per game; points allowed around 20.8 per game. On the road, they’re 2-1, with a mix of explosive plays and timely stops deciding outcomes.
- Performance last 5 matches: Chargers 2-3; Vikings 2-3.
- Last match results: Chargers fell 24-38 at home to Indianapolis; Vikings fell 22-28 at home to Philadelphia.
Keyplayer Statistics/Momentum/External Factors
- – Quarterbacks: Herbert has the elite arm and a history of lighting up this matchup—the last meeting featured a career night for him and a ridiculous catch-fest from Keenan Allen. Wentz, meanwhile, has stabilized Minnesota with smart decisions, a workable average of about 253 passing yards, and better ball security lately. On a Thursday, that steadiness matters.
- – Injuries: The Chargers’ tackle situation (Joe Alt trending doubtful; Trent Pipkins out) forces scheme adjustments. The Vikings are monitoring multiple linemen and edge players. Pass rush vs. protection is the swing factor.
- – Travel and schedule: Minnesota has navigated international trips earlier this month, then turned right back around into a short week. L.A. remains at home. In October, those miles can show up in the fourth quarter.
- – Recent usage: When the Chargers lean into quick rhythm and Allen’s volume, the offense hums. Minnesota’s best version marries Wentz’s on-schedule throws with Mason’s downhill efficiency and Jefferson’s explosive capability.
- – Historical note: The Vikings have taken four of the last five in this series, but the most recent head-to-head went to the Chargers on the road, 28-24. The last time they met at SoFi, Minnesota won by a score of one margin.
- Last direct match Los Angeles Chargers vs Minnesota Vikings: Chargers 28-24 on the road, a late-game sequence where Herbert’s poise mattered and Allen’s route-running did the rest.
Team news
- – Chargers: Started strong this season and are still firmly in the AFC West mix. Herbert’s recent performance trends are encouraging, but success here hinges on how they protect the edges and how well the defense tackles in space. With Harbaugh, expect early script throws, perimeter screens, and motion to stress Minnesota’s rules.
- – Vikings: Still within shouting distance in the NFC North chase, powered by a scoring average that plays on the road and a defense that limits explosives better than last year. Wentz has a good rapport going, Jefferson remains the cheat code, and Mason offers a bruising complement. The questions are the trenches and how fresh they are after a short rest.
Last direct match, performance run, and recency check
- – Last head-to-head: Chargers 28-24 at Minnesota, a one-score thriller.
- – Form last five: Chargers 2-3; Vikings 2-3.
- – Most recent results: Chargers 24-38 loss to the Colts; Vikings 22-28 loss to the Eagles. The thread that ties these together: both teams have been living in one-score game scripts, and both remain capable of 24-plus on any given night—exactly why the total is in play.
TrustnBet Final Thoughts
We’re backing three angles rooted in quarterback play, coaching, and game flow. First, Chargers -3.0 at -115: Harbaugh’s situational edge and Herbert’s command should overcome protection issues with a tempo-driven plan. Second, Over 42.5 at -110: each offense profiles in the low-20s, and Thursday-night aggression pushes this toward the mid-40s. Third, Chargers moneyline: if you want a safer pocket for the bankroll, L.A. straight up is the call.
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