Week Three Preview: Vikings Vs Chargers

Photo Credit: Los Angeles Chargers

Entering their Week 3 matchup, the Los Angeles Chargers and the Minnesota Vikings are both 0-2. An 0-2 start to the season is not what either of these teams had in mind after being playoff teams last year. Yet that is where they are at. As things stand currently, with their 0-2 records, both teams have an 11 percent chance of making the playoffs. However, that percentage will drop even further for the team that loses this game. Thus, this game is the most important of each team's season so far.

Minnesota Vikings

Photo Credit: Minnesota Vikings

Through two weeks, the Vikings' have one of the best passing attacks in the NFL with 708 yards. A large part of their passing success is thanks to third-year wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who has 309 receiving yards. With his early success, the Vikings will most certainly continue to feed Jefferson the ball in this game. While the Vikings' passing game may be thriving, it is the complete opposite for their rushing attack, which is the worst in the league. Over two games, they have only averaged 2.6 yards a carry on 26 attempts for 69 yards. The Vikings need to figure out how to be more productive on the ground, or they have no shot at beating the Chargers and getting their season back on track.

Another issue the Vikings' offense has had so far this season is turning the ball over. Through two games, they have given the ball away a total of seven times. Six of the seven turnovers have been fumbles. These fumble issues are a problem going into a game against a hard-hitting Charger defense. If the Vikings' offense can not secure the ball, this game could get quickly out of hand.

The Vikings' defense is one of the worst in the NFL. They have allowed 340 passing yards and 332 rushing yards through two games. Although the Vikings' defense is in the bottom half of the league in passing yards allowed, they still are not great at defending the pass. Letting up chunk plays too often. That is a problem going up against a Charger team that likes to sling the ball downfield. Having a rough pass defense is not the only thing to worry about, as the Vikings have the fourth worst rush defense through two games. Not having a good run defense is worrisome since the Chargers ran for 233 yards in Week 1. With the Vikings' poor run and pass defense, the Chargers should run rough shot all game long.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers enter this game with the eighth-best passing offense after gaining 534 pass yards in the first two weeks. The passing game success is due to the Chargers' ability to spread the ball to multiple wide receivers. That strength will be highlighted this week against a weak Vikings' secondary. This means quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers wide receivers should feast against the Vikings.

If the Chargers' passing attack somehow struggles against the Vikings, they can fall back on their rushing attack. This Charger rushing attack is the fifth-best in the NFL, amassing 294 rushing yards in only two games. The Chargers establishing a running game against the Vikings will help keep Justin Jefferson and the opposing offense off the field. That will aid them in winning the time of possession battle and ultimately winning the game.

Defense is where the Chargers struggle, allowing 666 passing yards in the first two games. This is the most yards any team has given up so far this season. That is worrying going into a game where they have to face Justin Jefferson. Finding ways to slow down Jefferson should be the Charger defense's number one priority. If they can not slow Jefferson down, then the Vikings will stay in the game for all four quarters.

On the other hand, the Chargers have only allowed 211 rushing yards. That puts them in the middle of the NFL in run defense. Having a middle-of-the-road run defense works out well, going up against the Vikings' horrendous rushing attack. Being able to successfully stop the run will force the Vikings into passing, which, as mentioned above, can be dangerous.

Even though all signs point to a Chargers victory, it would not be surprising if they find a way to lose. Whoever wins this game will gain a pivotal victory for their season.