Sunday | 1:00 ET
Normally, there wouldn’t be much interest in a Week 3 matchup between two winless teams. However, with these explosive offenses on display, there will be fireworks in Minneapolis on Sunday. The 2023 Vikings and Chargers have a lot in common. They rank 6th and 7th in overall offensive PFF grade, respectively. Meanwhile, they rank 21st and 31st in overall defensive PFF grade. The Chargers have given up the third most points in the NFL, only behind the Bears and the Giants. Both teams are in desperate need of a win, and I expect their offenses to leave it all on the field.
The Chargers offense is packed with playmakers. However, after missing Week 2, star RB Austin Ekeler is still questionable for Sunday. Still, their two games under OC Kellen Moore, the Chargers have scored 34 and 27 points. The Vikings’ biggest weakness on defense is their inability to stop the run (31st in PFF run defense grade). LA was able to run the ball very well in Week 1, but struggled last week without Ekeler against a strong Titans defense. Whether or not the Chargers will be efficient on the ground is one of the major keys of this game. If Ekeler plays, they might dominate the run game like Week 1. This would make shots to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams much tougher to defend for the Vikings.
On offense, the Vikings have the best wide receiver in the game on their roster in Justin Jefferson. With him suiting up every Sunday, opposing defenses are faced with a monumental challenge. Unfortunately for LA, the Chargers have the 3rd worst coverage grade in 2023. With JJ, TJ Hockenson, and Jordan Addison to worry about, S Derwin James and the secondary will have their hands full. Minnesota has not been happy with its rushing attack, proven by the addition of RB Cam Akers on Wednesday. Expect QB Kirk Cousins to absolutely air it out.
This could be one of the highest-scoring games of the entire season. I expect it to be a back and forth battle, with both teams trading haymakers. Ultimately, Minnesota comes out on top. Home field advantage will play a big part in this. In a game where both teams are so evenly matched, the deafening noise that Vikings fans are able to create may be what tips the scales.