The Vikings simply didn’t look ready to play an NFL game. One might even say that they looked disinterested in playing an NFL game. This is the sort of thing that occasionally happens with these ridiculous Thursday night games. Two days of rest and a day of travel isn’t enough time for players to recover between games. Human bodies, no matter how finely tuned, do not respond that way. It’s even more difficult for players working their way through injuries. Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill, working through a knee injury from a few weeks ago, couldn’t rebound in time. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw, working through his return from last year’s torn ACL, gave it a go but left the game after only nine plays. In perfect health, playing on a short week is a tough deal. In less than perfect health, it’s nearly impossible. Since the NFL puts money above all else, these Thursday night games aren’t going away. Even shitty games are giant paydays for the league. At the very least, the league should make the home team travel the Sunday before the game. The Chargers have been resting easy at home since October 12.
Carson Wentz has probably thrown his last pass for the Vikings. He’s been the starter since J.J. McCarthy came out of the Week 2 game against the Atlanta Falcons with an ankle injury. With a 2-3 record, Wentz hasn’t been terrible but he hasn’t been good. Granted, he’s been placed in a tough spot with the injuries throughout the offensive line. Against the Chargers, backup tackles Justin Skule and Walter Rouse couldn’t keep the edges safe. With the one-sided score, depleted offensive line, and no concern for the Vikings running game, the Chargers pass rushers could tee-off on a spot and target Wentz. With five sacks and consistent pressure, Wentz was battered in this game. Nursing a left shoulder injury, he was sore coming into the game. He was more sore coming out of the game. Through his run as the Vikings starter, his accuracy has been inconsistent. Through the first four games, he’d have enough on-target throws to keep the Vikings offense frisky. That wasn’t the case last night. The Vikings offense was rarely frisky. The only touchdown was sent up by a Josh Metellus interception at the Chargers 26-yard line. Even with excellent field position, the Vikings needed a couple Chargers penalties to get enough shots to finally put the ball in the end zone.
The Vikings were terrible against the Chargers. This loss rivals the 40-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in 2022 as the worst in the three-plus years Kevin O’Connell has guided the team as the head coach. Here are the Vikings offensive possessions against the Chargers.
1. 6 plays, 25 yards - punt
2. 3 plays, -9 yards - punt
3. 9 plays, 35 yards - field goal
4. 3 plays, 8 yards - punt
5. 5 plays, 24 yards - missed field goal
6. 5 plays, 12 yards - punt
7. 6 plays, 26 yards - touchdown
8. 2 plays, 12 yards - interception
9. 4 plays, 2 yards - downs
10. 6 plays, 34 yards - end of game (thankfully)
The Vikings offense was terrible. The defense rarely slowed the Chargers offense. Things were so easy for the Chargers offense that they never punted. Their only non-scoring possessions ended with a missed field goal and the Metellus interception. About the only positive in the game for the Vikings was that they were even in the turnover margin and +4 in points off of turnovers. Nice!
The best thing about this sad Thursday night game is that the Vikings now have 10 days to recover before their Week 9 game at the Detroit Lions. Hopefully, that game brings the return of J.J. McCarthy, a fully healthy offensive line, and the return of outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
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