Los Angeles Chargers vs Minnesota Vikings NFL Preview: Team news, betting, tickets, live stream, Fantasy Football and more

Both the Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings will be eager to right the ship when they clash on Thursday Night Football in Week 8, with each team coming off a disappointing loss in Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season.

For Minnesota, quarterback uncertainty continues to loom large. Rookie J.J. McCarthy remains sidelined with an ankle injury, forcing veteran Carson Wentz to keep command of the offense. While the Vikings have gone 2-2 in Wentz's starts, inconsistency has been their biggest hurdle, and another defeat could see them slip further from the NFC playoff conversation.

The Chargers, meanwhile, have seen their hot start unravel. After racing out to a 3-0 record, they've dropped three of their last four games to fall to 4-3, with last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts particularly frustrating. Los Angeles had no answers for Jonathan Taylor and the Colts' ground attack, exposing a defense that has struggled to string together stops in key moments.

However, this week’s matchup offers a glimmer of hope. The Vikings' offense ranked just 26th in EPA per play entering Week 7, and with McCarthy still on the mend, the Chargers’ defense could have an opportunity to regain confidence at home.

Injuries have been a recurring theme for the Chargers this season. The offensive line has taken a significant hit with Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater both sidelined — the latter lost for the year — while running back Omarion Hampton is also dealing with an injury setback.

Now sitting in a crowded AFC West race, the Chargers desperately need a bounce-back performance under the primetime lights to stay within striking distance of the division lead.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Minnesota Vikings kick-off time

NFL

SoFi Stadium

The Chargers and the Vikings will meet in Week 8 of the NFL season at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Thursday, October 23, starting at 8:15 pm ET.

Team news & squads

Los Angeles Chargers team news

Unfortunately for Los Angeles, his standout showing couldn't mask the defensive struggles that have plagued them lately. The Chargers surrendered 120 rushing yards, making it the fifth straight contest in which they've allowed at least 118 on the ground. Over their last three outings, the defense has been leaky, conceding big plays and losing two of those matchups. Giving up 38 points to the Indianapolis Colts wasn't much of a surprise either, the Colts entered the week boasting the league’s most explosive offense, averaging 32.3 points per game.

On the offensive side, Justin Herbert put up monster numbers, throwing for a career-best 420 yards. Yet, his day was marred by two costly second-quarter interceptions that halted the Chargers' momentum.

The first came off a deflected pass at the line of scrimmage as Los Angeles, trailing 20-3, looked poised to enter the red zone midway through the second quarter.

Meanwhile, veteran wideout Keenan Allen continued to be his quarterback's most reliable target, leading the team with 11 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown — another strong outing in what’s shaping up to be an impressive campaign for the seasoned receiver.

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Minnesota Vikings team news

When you take a step back and assess the Minnesota Vikings' opening stretch, their 3-3 record feels like a major letdown. Sure, injuries have ravaged the roster, but what really stings is that every defeat came in games they could have easily won.

Quarterback play has been the Achilles' heel all season. It's been particularly painful considering Sam Darnold's sensational 2024 campaign, when he guided the Vikings to a 14-3 finish. This fall from grace has sparked plenty of chatter among fans and pundits alike. Rookie J.J. McCarthy has shown flashes but only managed one strong quarter across his two starts, while Carson Wentz has struggled to find his footing in crucial moments.

McCarthy's high ankle sprain has now sidelined him for four straight games, the exact threshold for a stint on short-term IR. While that box is officially checked, there's still no guarantee he'll suit up this week. With a quick turnaround before Thursday night's clash against the Chargers, the quarterback could easily be held out for a fifth straight contest if the Vikings decide not to risk rushing him back.  The inconsistency under center has turned the offense into a week-to-week guessing game and invited growing criticism—especially from national outlets.

Defensively, Minnesota continues to battle through injuries. Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel remains sidelined with a neck injury suffered in Week 3 after his two-sack showing against Cincinnati. The Vikings' injury report is crowded with names like right tackle Brian O’Neill (knee), center Michael Jurgens (hamstring), defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (hip), linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring), and edge rusher Tyler Batty (knee), all listed as questionable heading into Week 8.

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Watch and live stream Chargers vs Vikings in the USA

The Chargers vs Vikings game in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season will be broadcast live exclusively on Prime Video. Fans in the local markets will still be able to catch the coverage onFubo (Try for free today!).

More details on where to watch the game in the United States, including streaming options, will be released soon, so keep an eye out for our dedicated coverage.

Watch and live stream Chargers vs Vikings worldwide

For fans outside the U.S. looking to stay plugged into the action,NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the ultimate ticket. It serves up more than 200 regular-season and playoff matchups, complete Super Bowl coverage, plus access to NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and plenty more to keep you locked in all year long.

To bypass regional restrictions or to access the game if you are travelling abroad, you can watch the action using a Virtual Private Network like ExpressVPN.

How to buy Chargers vs Vikings tickets

The showdown between the Chargers and the Vikings is set for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, a venue that packs in up to 70,000 fans and promises a fiery atmosphere on game day.

Tickets are already up for grabs on StubHub, with entry starting at $386. From there, prices climb through the tiers — $300, $400, $500, $600, $700, $800, $900, $1,000, and stretching all the way into the premium ranges of $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $6,000, and topping out at $10,406 for the best seats in the house.

Check the link below for the full breakdown of how to purchase tickets to NFL games.

READ MORE: NFL 2025 Tickets: Prices, deals, season tickets & membership information

Chargers vs Vikings Fantasy Football

Justin Herbert continues to sling it with confidence, even if the Chargers' win-loss record doesn't quite reflect his level of play. The star quarterback torched Indianapolis for 420 yards and three touchdowns, though he also tossed a pair of costly interceptions, in a 38-24 Week 7 defeat. Through seven games, Herbert has piled up 1,493 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and four picks, keeping himself firmly in the early MVP chatter. Still, Los Angeles needs a statement performance on Thursday night to avoid sliding to 4-4 and letting their playoff ambitions wobble.

Despite getting steamrolled by the Colts, the Chargers' defensive front remains one of the NFL’s most disruptive units. Facing a shaky Carson Wentz and a battered Vikings offensive line, they should have every chance to pad their sack totals under the primetime lights.

The lone silver lining from Sunday's loss? Oronde Gadsden's breakout party. The rookie tight end looked every bit the matchup nightmare scouts promised he'd be, erupting for seven catches, 164 yards, and his first career touchdown. His performance — the best fantasy outing by a tight end in Week 7 — was the kind of coming-out display that grabs the league's attention. After seeing just a handful of looks early in the year, Gadsden has drawn 17 targets over the past two weeks, firmly inserting himself into Justin Herbert's circle of trust alongside Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, and Ladd McConkey. His arrow is pointing way up — fantasy managers, take note.

As for Quentin Johnston, Week 7 was more frustrating than fruitful. The young wideout managed only two catches on six targets for 30 yards, though one of Herbert’s interceptions came on a red-zone pass intended for him, a play that could've flipped his stat line and the game’s tone had it connected. There’s still chemistry to be found, but Johnston's talent continues to flash in spurts.

On the other sideline, Carson Wentz battled but fell short once again, completing 26 of 42 passes for 313 yards with two interceptions in the Vikings’ 28-22 loss to Philadelphia. He added 28 yards on the ground, but his decision-making remains shaky, as Minnesota’s offense sputtered for the second straight week.

Even with the quarterback carousel in full spin, Justin Jefferson remains the constant, a fantasy juggernaut capable of exploding regardless of who’s delivering the ball. Analysts still peg him as a locked-in WR1 heading into Week 8 against the Chargers, and for good reason: his floor is elite, his ceiling downright unfair.

In the backfield, Jordan Mason continues to earn more snaps, gradually stepping out from Aaron Jones' shadow. With Jones eligible to return from injured reserve next week, Mason’s workload might dip slightly, but he's shown enough poise and production to remain the team’s go-to option between the tackles. Even if Jones reclaims touches, Mason's case to stay the primary ball carrier grows stronger by the week.

Chargers vs Vikings Game Predictions

This is a brutal turnaround for the Vikings, who emptied the tank in their Week 7 home loss to Philadelphia.

With JJ McCarthy still likely sidelined on a short week, it’s shaping up to be another start for Carson Wentz — and that’s behind an offensive line that’s hanging together with duct tape at this point.

Minnesota’s offense has been stuck in the mud all season, ranking near the bottom of the league in EPA per play, and the gap at quarterback in Week 8 is glaring. The defense hasn’t helped matters either; Jalen Hurts carved them up for 326 yards and three touchdowns last Sunday, exposing every weak seam in Brian Flores’ unit.

That’s bad news with Justin Herbert coming to town. The Chargers’ quarterback should be able to slice through this secondary without breaking a sweat, especially with Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston starting to find rhythm in the passing game. 

Los Angeles has already shown it can hang with (and beat) elite teams like Kansas City and Denver this season, something Minnesota can't say. The Vikings' two wins with Wentz under center came against Jake Browning and Dillon Gabriel. We back Los Angeles to come out on top on Thursday night. 

Chargers vs Vikings Betting Odds

Spread

Vikings +2.5 (-110)

Chargers -2.5 (-110)

Moneyline

Vikings: +114

Chargers: -135

Total

43.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Form

Head-to-Head Record

LAC

Last 5 matches

MIN

1

Win

0

Draws

4

Wins

• Minnesota Vikings

  24

  -

  28

  Los Angeles Chargers

• Los Angeles Chargers

  20

  -

  27

  Minnesota Vikings

• Los Angeles Chargers

  10

  -

  39

  Minnesota Vikings

• Minnesota Vikings

  23

  -

  10

  Los Angeles Chargers

• Minnesota Vikings

  31

  -

  14

  Los Angeles Chargers

Useful links

• Chargers 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
• Vikings 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
• How to watch and live stream NFL football for free and without cable
• 2025 fantasy football rankings: Running back (RB) | Wide receiver (WR) | Tight end (TE) | Quarterback (QB)