Daily Norseman - 2021 NFL Week 10: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles ChargersThe Purple and Gold Standardhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48653/dailynorseman_fave.png2021-11-14T18:24:29-06:00http://www.dailynorseman.com/rss/stream/225390942021-11-14T18:24:29-06:002021-11-14T18:24:29-06:00Minnesota Vikings 27, Los Angeles Chargers 20: Jefferson’s huge day leads Vikings to victory
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<img alt="Minnesota Vikings v Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KPnemiR_I_gvWBqdgh9OTaBNebQ=/144x0:3093x1966/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70142239/1353306414.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It was a close one, just like we all expected it to be</p> <p id="T36FCa">We expected a game between the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> and the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> to be close. It was simply a matter of who would make the necessary plays to come out on top. In the end, the visiting team got the job done.</p>
<p id="4ft59h">Paced by huge performances by Justin Jefferson and Kirk Cousins, the Vikings powered their way to a 27-20 victory over the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Week 10 NFL action.</p>
<p id="hMig4f">The two teams played a scoreless first quarter, and the Vikings opened the second stanza in Chargers’ territory at the 31-yard line. After a short pass to Adam Thielen, the Vikings put the first points of the game on the board courtesy of the right foot of Greg Joseph. He connected on a 46-yard attempt to give Minnesota the lead at 3-0 less than a minute into the second quarter.</p>
<p id="l3CQ4G">The Chargers answered with a field goal of their own on the next possession, as Dustin Hopkins connected from 45 yards out to tie things at 3-3. It appeared that Minnesota had a touchdown on the ensuing possession on a 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to C.J. Ham, but it was wiped out by a holding penalty on Christian Darrisaw. That left the Vikings to settle for another field goal from Joseph, this one a 30-yarder to make it 6-3.</p>
<p id="EAjA0x">Eric Kendricks struck for the Vikings on the Chargers’ next offensive play, as he made a great diving interception of Justin Herbert to give Minnesota the ball at the Los Angeles 31-yard line.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What an absolute baller <a href="https://twitter.com/EricKendricks54?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EricKendricks54</a><br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> <a href="https://t.co/tp07O9KzCw">pic.twitter.com/tp07O9KzCw</a></p>— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1460007692072734724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2021</a>
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<p id="cpas6n">Minnesota then turned that into the game’s first touchdown, courtesy of a 5-yard strike from Kirk Cousins to Tyler Conklin for the score. Greg Joseph’s extra point was good and the Vikings led 13-3 with 3:26 left in the half.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/T_Conk1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@T_Conk1</a> through the contact<br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> <a href="https://t.co/SpRgHTa7DS">pic.twitter.com/SpRgHTa7DS</a></p>— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1460009464841474050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2021</a>
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<p id="YgACPV">Los Angeles cut into the lead on their next possession, as they moved down the field (with the assistance of a few Vikings penalties) and got into the end zone on a 1-yard dive from Larry Rountree for the score. Hopkins was good on the extra point and the score was 13-10 just before halftime.</p>
<p id="CHGrYv">The Chargers took the lead for the first time on the afternoon on the opening drive of the second half, marching down the field and ending the drive with a 2-yard strike from Justin Herbert to Austin Ekeler, with the extra point making the score 17-13 less than five minutes into the third quarter.</p>
<p id="a6yoUQ">Late in the third quarter, the Vikings took the lead back on a fourth-and-goal play from the 1-yard line. Cousins dropped back to pass and found Conklin for their second scoring connection of the afternoon to make it 20-17 with two and a half minutes left in the half.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Taking the lead back thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/KirkCousins8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KirkCousins8</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/T_Conk1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@T_Conk1</a><br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> <a href="https://t.co/TgZSSmGpaH">pic.twitter.com/TgZSSmGpaH</a></p>— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1460027377866592260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2021</a>
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<p id="RuYUaz">The Vikings then added to the lead after a three-and-out by the Chargers, marching down the field and getting into the end zone courtesy of a 1-yard plunge by Dalvin Cook. Joseph’s extra point was true, and with nine and a half minutes left in the game the Vikings took a 27-17 lead.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stretching it across for the score<a href="https://twitter.com/dalvincook?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dalvincook</a><br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> <a href="https://t.co/Dx4xUa8Ri0">pic.twitter.com/Dx4xUa8Ri0</a></p>— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1460032443130343424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2021</a>
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<p id="vUfqGc">The Chargers added more points on their next possession, as they got Hopkins into position to attempt a 24-yard field goal. He connected, making the score 27-20 in favor of the Vikings with just over four and a half minutes left in the game.</p>
<p id="d7Erh7">The Vikings needed a big drive at the end to ice it, and they got one despite a personal foul on Luke Stocker at the start of the drive. They faced a 4th-and-2 from the Los Angeles 36-yard line and chose to go for it rather than attempt a long field goal. Dalvin Cook took a pitch to the right, found the edge, and picked up the first down. The Chargers had no timeouts remaining, and the Vikings just knelt the clock out from there to end their losing streak.</p>
<p id="DR8O0d">Justin Jefferson had a huge game for the Vikings in this one, hauling in nine catches for 143 yards to lead the team. Kirk Cousins played solid football as well, completing 25-of-37 passes for 294 yards and the pair of touchdowns to Conklin. Dalvin Cook, coming off of a tumultuous week, carried the ball 24 times for 94 yards and a score as well.</p>
<p id="MWmm1Q">The Vikings move their record to 4-5 on the season, and they will return home next week to face off with the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>. The Chargers fall to 5-4 on the year and will host the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> on Sunday Night Football next week.</p>
<p id="3X6SD3">The Minnesota Vikings snap their two-game losing streak on the West Coast, taking away a 27-20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Thank you to everybody that got their coverage of this week’s game right here at The Daily Norseman!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2021/11/14/22781609/minnesota-vikings-los-angeles-chargers-final-score-game-recapChristopher Gates2021-11-14T17:40:17-06:002021-11-14T17:40:17-06:00Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers: Third quarter recap and fourth quarter discussion
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<img alt="NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kMpk6gUnWB2two61R7foO2X6wCM=/0x0:3720x2480/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70142087/usa_today_17165756.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It’s still a three-point lead for the good guys</p> <p id="xnDJSr">Everybody, hold four fingers up way over your heads, because we are headed into the final quarter at SoFi Stadium with your <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> leading the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> by a score of 20-17.</p>
<p id="Et77Nj">The home team got the ball coming out of the locker room at halftime, and the Chargers quickly marched into Minnesota territory. They pushed to a first-and-goal at the Minnesota 7-yard line, and on 3rd-and-goal from the 2, Justin Herbert found Austin Ekeler for a 2-yard score to give the Chargers their first lead of the afternoon.</p>
<p id="FxhlVK">Minnesota, as is their wont, went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, but a nice punt from Jordan Berry and a penalty on the Chargers gave Los Angeles the ball on their own 6-yard line. After a first down, the Chargers were forced to punt it away after Camryn Bynum continued his impressive run with his first NFL sack on Herbert.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Right up the middle!! <a href="https://twitter.com/Cambeezy_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cambeezy_</a><br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> <a href="https://t.co/mxY8ykNLDC">pic.twitter.com/mxY8ykNLDC</a></p>— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1460025015491973121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2021</a>
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<p id="CTCPdy">The Vikings then marched down the field, with the big play being a 27-yard connection between Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson. The Vikings then got to a first-and-goal at the 6, and on fourth-and-goal from the 1, Kirk Cousins found Tyler Conklin for his second score of the afternoon to give the Vikings the lead back! Greg Joseph’s extra point was good, and the Vikings led 20-17 with two and a half minutes left in the quarter.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Taking the lead back thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/KirkCousins8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KirkCousins8</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/T_Conk1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@T_Conk1</a><br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> <a href="https://t.co/TgZSSmGpaH">pic.twitter.com/TgZSSmGpaH</a></p>— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1460027377866592260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2021</a>
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<p id="GawvjL">Los Angeles went three-and-out on their next possession thanks to some nice pressure from the Vikings’ defense. As we move to the final quarter of play, the Vikings are looking at a 1st-and-10 from their own 49-yard line.</p>
<p id="48LCRe">We’ve got one quarter remaining at SoFi Stadium, and your Minnesota Vikings have a three-point lead over the Los Angeles Chargers, 20-17. Can the Vikings hold on and snap their losing streak? Come join us and find out!</p>
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https://www.dailynorseman.com/2021/11/14/22781604/minnesota-vikings-los-angeles-chargers-third-quarter-recap-fourth-quarter-discussionChristopher Gates2021-11-14T16:44:20-06:002021-11-14T16:44:20-06:00Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers: Second quarter recap and third quarter discussion
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<img alt="NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BvJ9W1G-2EcH1SyfBeBXLf5hfV4=/0x252:3720x2732/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70141934/usa_today_17165765.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The good guys lead by a field goal</p> <p id="uNvljf">We’ve reached halftime in Los Angeles with your <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> leading the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> by a score of 13-10.</p>
<p id="g1Y8PR">The Vikings opened the quarter with the ball in Chargers’ territory, and got the first points of the game courtesy of a 46-yard field goal from Greg Joseph to make it 3-0. The Chargers answered with a field goal of their own on the next drive, as Dustin Hopkins put it through the uprights from 45 yards out to tie things at 3-3.</p>
<p id="TRBuuL">Minnesota then put together their most impressive drive of the afternoon so far, as they moved the ball from their own 39 down into a first-and-goal situation at the Los Angeles 4. The Vikings had a touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to C.J. Ham taken off the board by a holding penalty on Christian Darrisaw, and then had to settle for another field goal as Joseph connected from 30 yards out to make it 6-3 with six and a half minutes remaining in the half.</p>
<p id="9rtQTc">On the first play of the ensuing drive for the Chargers, Eric Kendricks made another great play, making a diving interception at the Chargers’ 31-yard line to give the Vikings great field position once again!</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What an absolute baller <a href="https://twitter.com/EricKendricks54?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EricKendricks54</a><br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> <a href="https://t.co/tp07O9KzCw">pic.twitter.com/tp07O9KzCw</a></p>— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1460007692072734724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2021</a>
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<p id="dl6kyP">Minnesota actually cashed in on the turnover, courtesy of a 5-yard strike from Kirk Cousins to Tyler Conklin for the score. Greg Joseph’s extra point was good, and with about three and a half minutes left before halftime the Vikings took a 13-3 lead.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/T_Conk1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@T_Conk1</a> through the contact<br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> <a href="https://t.co/SpRgHTa7DS">pic.twitter.com/SpRgHTa7DS</a></p>— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1460009464841474050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2021</a>
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<p id="GmM1Lk">The Chargers then got a couple of penalties to go their way and pushed all the way down to the Vikings’ 1-yard line. They punched the ball into the end zone on a 1-yard dive over the pile by Larry Rountree to give the Chargers their first touchdown of the afternoon. Dustin Hopkins was good on the extra point, and the score was 13-10 with 1:30 left in the half.</p>
<p id="epTolc">The Vikings then went three-and-out after the touchdown and gave the ball back to the Chargers near midfield with two timeouts remaining. Fortunately, the Chargers couldn’t take advantage and took a three-and-out of their own. That’s where we stand after the first half at SoFi Stadium.</p>
<p id="AmPp85">It’s been a pretty low-key first half of football from Los Angeles, but the good guys lead by a field goal, 13-10. Come join us for the third quarter of play, folks!</p>
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https://www.dailynorseman.com/2021/11/14/22781603/minnesota-vikings-los-angeles-chargers-second-quarter-recap-third-quarter-discussionChristopher Gates2021-11-14T15:37:28-06:002021-11-14T15:37:28-06:00Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers: First quarter recap and second quarter discussion
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<img alt="NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TlwckATba0aHPl19Z_Q5FE13X0k=/0x53:3720x2533/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70141749/usa_today_17164876.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It’s still a scoreless game</p> <p id="6bYUJ4">Fifteen minutes of football are in the books at SoFi Stadium, and the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> and <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> are scoreless after the first quarter.</p>
<p id="ylc3P0">The Chargers won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, giving the Minnesota offense the football first. After the kick went for a touchback, the Vikings got the ball to midfield, but had to punt it away. That marked just the second time this season that the purple didn’t score on their first possession. The Chargers then went three-and-out, thanks in large part to Eric Kendricks sacking Justin Herbert for a huge loss of 15 yards on second down. Dede Westbrook then broke a huge punt return and took the ball back inside the Chargers’ 30-yard line to set the Vikings up with great field position.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/EricKendricks54?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EricKendricks54</a> knows a thing or two about making big plays in LA <br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> <a href="https://t.co/k84nsTwsBs">pic.twitter.com/k84nsTwsBs</a></p>— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1459993806703525889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2021</a>
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<p id="nxcuXv">On the ensuing drive, Kirk Cousins was sacked and lost the football with the Chargers recovering to spoil a golden opportunity for the Minnesota offense. The Chargers then pushed into Minnesota territory, but an unsuccessful attempt to draw the Vikings offside on 4th-and-4 from the Minnesota 40 led to another punt.</p>
<p id="sxvBwQ">The Vikings got a nice catch and run from Alexander Mattison to start their next drive, and soon after pushed back into Los Angeles territory with a nice mix of runs and passes. As we enter the second quarter, the Vikings are looking at a 3rd-and-10 from the Los Angeles 31-yard line.</p>
<p id="FCTDke">We are scoreless after the first quarter at SoFi Stadium, folks. Come on in and join us for the second quarter of play!</p>
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https://www.dailynorseman.com/2021/11/14/22781601/minnesota-vikings-los-angeles-chargers-first-quarter-recap-second-quarter-discussionChristopher Gates2021-11-14T14:00:00-06:002021-11-14T14:00:00-06:00Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers: Key information and first quarter discussion
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<img alt="Minnesota Vikings v Baltimore Ravens" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BEGXVd-DsJK_R4k7hBK-DiQStXc=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70141481/1352331908.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>e.g., limited to use of fewer than 10 images during the game</figcaption>
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<p>It’s time!</p> <p id="7817xq">We are just about an hour away from kickoff at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, as the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> and your <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> will do battle as part of the late window of NFL action. The Vikings are looking to avoid a third straight loss, and they’ve got a tough task ahead of them against a Chargers team that is capable of putting up points in bunches.</p>
<p id="Anyt5s">Here’s everything you need to know about today’s contest.</p>
<p id="29sQSW"><strong>Date and Time</strong>: Sunday, 14 November 2021, 3:05 PM Central time</p>
<p id="KJNcw6"><strong>Location</strong>: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, California</p>
<p id="gvp0j7"><strong>Television Coverage</strong>: KSTP-9 in the Twin Cities, FOX affiliates around the country, DirecTV Channel 713</p>
<p id="j9gc2A"><strong>Radio Coverage</strong>: <a href="https://www.vikings.com/audio/radio-network"><strong>Vikings Radio Network</strong></a>, Sirius Channel 137, XM Channel 380, SiriusXM App Channel 820</p>
<p id="4p1q5b"><strong>Line</strong>: Vikings +3.5, over/under 53</p>
<p id="WekgeE"><strong>Chris’ Prediction</strong>: Vikings 30, Chargers 27</p>
<p id="cKjA2B"><strong>Three Keys</strong></p>
<p id="xkhocI"><strong>1) Once again, open up the offense</strong> - The Chargers come into this game as the worst-ranked run defense in the NFL, which means that we’re likely going to see a big dose of Dalvin Cook this afternoon. However, that doesn’t mean the Vikings can completely abandon the passing game, as the Chargers have plenty of injury issues in the secondary as well. This team is capable of big plays. . .it just needs to start taking more shots. Hopefully we’ll see that happen today.</p>
<p id="xSMJXf"><strong>2) Get after Justin Herbert</strong> - The Chargers’ young quarterback is quickly climbing the ranks of the NFL’s best at the position, but he’s still prone to the occasional mistake. The Vikings are going to have to put themselves in a position where they can bring the heat on the second-year quarterback, including keeping the Chargers behind the chains so that they can concentrate more on bringing pressure.</p>
<p id="7XzgJL"><strong>3) Win on special teams</strong> - We saw Kene Nwangwu make an immediate impact for the Vikings against Baltimore with a big kickoff return for a touchdown, and we need to see more of that from this team. A team like the Vikings can’t afford mistakes anywhere, and particularly on special teams. If they can keep getting solid performances from guys like Nwangwu and punter Jordan Berry, they can tilt the field in their favor.</p>
<p id="tbA8PU"><strong>Know the Foe</strong>: <a href="http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com"><strong>Bolts from the Blue</strong></a></p>
<p id="ahTUeX"><strong>Twitter</strong>: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/dailynorseman"><strong>@DailyNorseman</strong></a></p>
<p id="jvy11K"><strong>FaceBook</strong>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman"><strong>https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman</strong></a></p>
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<p id="FBWAZi">As always, we will be opening up a new discussion thread at the start of each quarter, so make sure you’re keeping an eye out for that and move the discussion along accordingly.</p>
<p id="iFFsKY">I don’t want to see this team lose a third consecutive game, and I’m pretty sure that you don’t either. So, hopefully we can all meet up back here in about three hours or so and talk about how awesome it was to see the Vikings put up another W.</p>
<p id="MIkcAM">SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2021/11/14/22781574/minnesota-vikings-los-angeles-chargers-key-information-first-quarter-discussionChristopher Gates2021-11-14T13:44:18-06:002021-11-14T13:44:18-06:00Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers: Inactive lists for both teams
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<img alt="NFL: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DjfUvQPHNUw2aHC4x-Cn7RCy7hA=/0x194:2735x2017/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70141414/usa_today_16948836.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Who will be sitting this one out?</p> <p id="k3UAwP">We’re about an hour and a half ahead of kickoff at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and both the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> and <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> have put out their inactive lists for today’s contest. Let’s see who will be sitting this one out for both sides.</p>
<h4 id="FIzQkK">Minnesota Vikings</h4>
<ul>
<li id="a4XGtc">LB Anthony Barr (knee)</li>
<li id="LFY2nj">QB Kellen Mond</li>
<li id="gpotEm">WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette</li>
</ul>
<p id="i19KbX">Barr is missing another one this week after playing every snap of the team’s last four games. Since it appears his knee issues are chronic, this is something that we can probably expect to see for the rest of the season.</p>
<p id="EUyRZs">Because of their COVID issues, the Vikings only have to put three names on their inactive list. So that’s everyone. Yeah, it looks weird to me, too.</p>
<h4 id="7uLPHw">Los Angeles Chargers</h4>
<ul>
<li id="E9mfzm">S Nasir Adderley (ankle)</li>
<li id="DosqSI">CB Michael Davis (hamstring)</li>
<li id="CW7Gxq">RB Justin Jackson (quadriceps)</li>
<li id="IwW6k7">FB Gabe Nabors</li>
<li id="8AUGot">CB Ryan Smith (knee)</li>
<li id="HNdr3s">QB Easton Stick</li>
<li id="wXa1Bu">S Mark Webb Jr. (knee)</li>
</ul>
<p id="KHULOf">Keenan Allen and Joey Bosa, both of whom were listed as “questionable” on the final injury report of the week for the Chargers, are both active and will start as expected. Davis and Jackson were listed as doubtful going into this one, while Adderley and Webb were listed as questionable. </p>
<p id="i6QgRn">Those are your inactive lists for today’s contest, ladies and gentlemen. We’ll have our first Open Thread of the afternoon up and running here at right around 2:00 PM Central time.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2021/11/14/22781614/minnesota-vikings-los-angeles-chargers-inactive-listsChristopher Gates2021-11-14T10:00:00-06:002021-11-14T10:00:00-06:00Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers: ALL THE COVERAGE~!
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<img alt="NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VArXbzqY3mFQFKF_jOyy335bLeE=/7x0:3811x2536/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70140741/usa_today_17116192.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Making sure you can follow all of the action</p> <p id="zdGIZY">Because they’re playing on the West Coast, today’s <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> contest against the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> will be a part of the late window of NFL action. But, we’re still going to give you plenty of time to get all of the information you need in order to be able to follow along with all of today’s action, wherever you might be.</p>
<h4 id="5XviP4">Television Info</h4>
<p id="GbCEtL">As I said, this game will be starting a little bit later than we’re used to, with kickoff scheduled for <strong>3:05 PM Central time</strong>. This game will be carried by FOX affiliates, including KSTP-9 in the Twin Cities, and will feature Kevin Kugler and Mark Sanchez on the call. If you’re wondering whether or not you’re in the local broadcast area for today’s game, here is the map from the folks at 506 Sports. The Vikings/Chargers game will be shown in the blue area.</p>
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<p id="d0PLC6">If you’re using the DirecTV Sunday Ticket package to watch this one, you’ll want to point your receiver towards <strong>Channel 713</strong>.</p>
<p id="V0Vg4F">For our men and women in uniform overseas, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/myAFN/posts/6711920898848206">American Forces Network</a> will be showing this one <em><strong>LIVE</strong></em> on AFN Sports 2 as it happens. Kickoff is slated for <strong>2100Z on Sunday</strong>, which works out to <strong>2200L</strong> for viewers in Central Europe, <strong>0000L on Monday</strong> for everyone on Arabian Standard Time, and <strong>0600L on Monday</strong> for fans in Japan and Korea.</p>
<h4 id="RT8T3k">Radio Info</h4>
<p id="xGBPZ1">Once again, the <a href="https://www.vikings.com/audio/radio-network"><strong>Vikings Radio Network</strong></a> and all of its affiliates will be bringing you live broadcasts of every Vikings game for 2021. If you’re traveling around an area where there’s an affiliate or you just prefer the radio to the television, check out their site and find the affiliate in your area.</p>
<p id="1ZTnMX">If you’re going to be using satellite radio, you can get this week’s game from either <strong>Sirius Channel 137</strong> or <strong>XM Channel 380</strong>. Those channels will bring you the Vikings Radio Network feed. If you’re using the Sirius XM app, the Vikings’ permanent home there is on <strong>Channel 820</strong>.</p>
<h4 id="1zbxic">Referee Info</h4>
<p id="HsslGj">The weekly post from the folks at <a href="http://www.footballzebras.com/2021/11/week-10-referee-assignments-2021/">Football Zebras</a> informs us that the officiating crew for today’s game will be led by Clay Martin. This will be the second Vikings’ game of the year for Martin’s crew, as they handled the Vikings’ 30-17 victory over the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> at U.S. Bank Stadium back in Week 3.</p>
<h4 id="SssvFb">Weather Info</h4>
<p id="KUUY4x">Even though SoFi Stadium has a roof on it, there is still some exposure to the weather, as we saw with the weather delay the Chargers had earlier this season. It’s going to be a warm one on Sunday, according to our friends at <a href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/forecast/us/california/los-angeles/">WeatherNation</a>, with temperatures at kickoff nearing 90 degrees and just a slight breeze from the southwest throughout the afternoon.</p>
<h4 id="n0YUPn">Betting Info</h4>
<p id="wUwour">According to our friends at the <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/q8f9?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D126225999%26wpcid%3D163147%26wpcn%3DHowtoWatchContent%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DOdds&pcid=163147&pscn=NFLRegularSeason&pcrn=HowtoWatchContent&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings Sportsbook</strong></a>, the Chargers are currently listed as a 3.5-point favorite with the over/under currently sitting at 53 points. You can use the link there to track any potential changes all the way up to kickoff.</p>
<h4 id="edShRZ">Streaming Info</h4>
<p id="eSa0wz">Since this is a FOX game, you can watch this one on <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/nfl"><strong>FOX Sports</strong></a> online by logging in with your TV provider credentials. You can also get the game on NFL GamePass, or by checking out a service such as <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641874&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Fwelcome%3Fu%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Fwelcome%3Fu%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Fwelcome%3Fu%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Fwelcome%3Fu%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Fwelcome%3Fu%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Fwelcome%3Fu%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Flp%2Fstream-nfl%2F%3Firad%3D667759%26irmp%3D482924%26subId1%3DDailyNorseman%26subId2%3DNFL%26subId3%3D042021%26sharedid%3DSBNation%26sharedid%3Dsbnation.com%26subId2%3D%255B%255Dsb%255Bp%255D22432534%255Bt%255Dw%255Br%255Ddailynorseman.com%2Fminnesota-vikings-2021-season-nfl%255Bd%255DD%26sharedid%3Dsbnation.com%26subId2%3D%255B%255Dsb%255Bp%255D22445641%255Bt%255Dw%255Br%255Ddailynorseman.com%2Farchives%255Bd%255DD%26sharedid%3Dsbnation.com%26subId2%3D%255B%255Dsb%255Bp%255D22457280%255Bt%255Dw%255Br%255Ddailynorseman.com%2Farchives%255Bd%255DD%26sharedid%3Dsbnation.com%26subId2%3D%255B%255Dsb%255Bp%255D22482781%255Bt%255Dw%255Br%255Ddailynorseman.com%2Farchives%255Bd%255DD%26sharedid%3Dsbnation.com%26subId2%3D%255B%255Dsb%255Bp%255D22494642%255Bt%255Dw%255Br%255Ddailynorseman.com%2Farchives%255Bd%255DD%26sharedid%3Dsbnation.com%26subId2%3D%255B%255Dsb%255Bp%255D22531986%255Bt%255Dw%255Br%255Ddailynorseman.com%2Farchives%255Bd%255DD&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailynorseman.com%2F2021%2F11%2F14%2F22780973%2Fminnesota-vikings-los-angeles-chargers-television-radio-streaming" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Fubo TV</strong></a>.</p>
<p id="SC2QvW">As far as illegal streaming, I won’t belabor the point like I usually do. Don’t promote illegal streams here or you’ll be banned. Do not pass “Go,” do not collect $200.</p>
<h4 id="bHFJFr">Post-Game Info</h4>
<p id="jmMZBM">Following the game, our friends from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/ClimbingThePocket"><strong>Climbing the Pocket</strong></a> will have a live post-game show for your viewing pleasure. You will be able to see it on the Climbing the Pocket YouTube Channel (linked in the previous sentence), as well as the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thedailynorseman"><strong>Daily Norseman FaceBook page</strong></a>. There will be no Vikings Report Rewind LIVE this week.</p>
<p id="OuhpV0">That should be pretty much everything you need in order to follow along with all of the action from the season-opening clash between the Los Angeles Chargers and your Minnesota Vikings from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. We’ll have Open Threads for each quarter, with the first one dropping approximately an hour before kickoff, so we hope to see you here then!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2021/11/14/22780973/minnesota-vikings-los-angeles-chargers-television-radio-streamingChristopher Gates2021-11-13T20:22:39-06:002021-11-13T20:22:39-06:00Five Good Questions with Bolts from the Blue
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<p>Checking in on the Chargers before Sunday’s game.</p> <p id="7e6CRY">Before the Vikings take on the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, we checked in with Michael Peterson from SB Nation’s Chargers site, Bolts From the Blue. What’s with LA’s run defense? How can you stop the Chargers’ high-powered offense? Which players should Vikings fans watch for on Sunday? Is “Chargering” still a thing? We talked about all that in more in our Five Good Questions segment below.</p>
<p id="iyGrJy">If you want to see my Q&A with Michael about the Vikings, <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2021/11/12/22778132/chargers-vikings-game-prevoew-week-10-cousins-jefferson-thielen-dalvin-cook">you can check it out here</a>.</p>
<h4 id="M5gTzd"><strong>1. Much has been made about the Chargers’ weak run defense, which has allowed the most yards and yards per attempt in the league this year. They’re also last in rush defense DVOA and 29th in PFF rush defense grade. They certainly aren’t devoid of talent on that side of the ball, so why has the run defense been so porous thus far this year? Do you think that the Chargers can make any adjustments to slow down Dalvin Cook on Sunday?</strong></h4>
<p id="zA25Jk">The way I like to think about the defensive front is it’s just Joey Bosa, Linval Joseph, and then three other guys who are just trying their best. Joseph is playing much better than he did a year ago and Bosa is doing his usual thing. However, a guy like Jerry Tillery just isn’t built to stop the run. He’s a true 6’7” and doesn’t have the necessary girth and/or strength to hold double-teams at the point of attack. He’s consistently blown off the ball far too often. With the return of Justin Jones at the other defensive tackle spot, he’s provided a little juice but he’s just not a run-stopping tackle. He’s more of a penetrating three-technique, which is similar to Tillery’s case.</p>
<p id="0O40i8">As for the linebackers behind them, they’re job is just made so much harder when the linemen ahead of them aren’t able to fulfill their responsibilities. It’s tough to sift through the trash in the box when one of your teammates is getting pushed into your lap before you have a chance to read and react. I like what Kyzir White and Drue Tranquill have done this year, but the whole defensive front seven just needs to amp things up to another level if they want to escape the basement of the NFL’s run defense.</p>
<p id="ehWShb">If there’s one adjustment I could see the team making to stop Dalvin Cook, it would be moving Joey Bosa around the interior to exploit mismatches. Against the Ravens, Bosa lined up inside the tackle a little over a dozen times in an attempt to maximize the amount of speed and athleticism on the field. I don’t think it worked as well as they would have liked it to, but that’s the only real notable adjustment I’ve seen them make this season to stop heavy-rushing attacks.</p>
<h4 id="97Tnb6"><strong>2. While the defense has had its share of struggles, the Chargers offense has been very impressive this year. Justin Herbert has shown no signs of a sophomore slump, Keenan Allen has shown no signs of slowing down, and Austin Ekeler remains a dual-threat nightmare for defensive coordinators. Plus they actually have a solid offensive line to support them this time! Rashawn Slater seems like an absolute home run at left tackle and Corey Linsley has quietly been one of the best acquisitions of the past offseason. Does this offense have any significant weaknesses? Because I’m having trouble finding any.</strong></h4>
<p id="e1EwOU">All you need to do to find a weakness for this offense is to check out the games against the Ravens and Patriots where those two defenses really got after the Chargers early and often. In the press conference following the loss to Baltimore, Justin Herbert said they threw a lot of looks at them on defense that they hadn’t seen before. Once they got Herbert a little rattled in the pocket, he just never seemed to find safe footing the rest of the way. Similarly, the Patriots and Bill Belichick just did what they do against every young quarterback: Play all the games. Every stunt and twist imaginable was thrown at the Chargers and while they responded better that week compared to the Ravens game, it still wasn’t enough to eek that one out. Specifically, attacking the right side of the offensive line is a pretty good place to start. That side is being held down by a pair of backups in Michael Schofield and Storm Norton. Neither have done much to instill confidence in Chargers fans up to this point so that’s where I’d attempt to exploit a mismatch first.</p>
<h4 id="N3teF1"><strong>3. Over the years, the Vikings and Chargers have both shown an incredible penchant for grasping defeat from the jaws of victory. While the Vikings continue to be their own worst enemy in 2021, the Chargers appear to finally be turning a corner and winning some close games. Is “Chargering” starting to become a thing of the past under Brandon Staley and Herbert, or does the end of games still give you PTSD like it does for us?</strong></h4>
<p id="XIeyYl">While I do believe the Chargers are turning a corner under the Staley regime, I’d say it’s going to take at least a few years before fans stop breaking out in cold sweats during every game that the team builds a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter or misses an extra point. It’s just so natural at this point, ya know? When you’ve been hurt before so many times, it’s hard to break out of that learned helplessness. But overall, couldn’t be happier with the way this team has shown they can fight and claw to the finish to pull out some of these close wins. They’ve done it a handful of times already this year and they’ll need to continue that if they hope to keep pace in the wide open AFC West.</p>
<h4 id="BQRhMw"><strong>4. Give us one player on offense and one player on defense that Vikings fans may not be familiar with, but could have a big impact on the outcome of Sunday’s game.</strong></h4>
<p id="Id8Xwt">On offense, I’ll point Vikings fans to tight end Donald Parham. He’s a true 6’8” with immense athletic ability and he’s already made quite a few head-turning plays in his first two seasons with the Chargers. At times, it looks like he’s just playing basketball out there with the way he’s able to sky over defenders for catches like he’s boxing out for the rebound.</p>
<p id="Im1I2B">On defense, I can’t help but point at linebacker Kyzir White. After shining as a rookie in 2018, he dealt with some lingering injuries over the past two seasons. Now, in Brandon Staley’s system, he looks like a whole new player. He’s shown quite the nose for the football while playing with an aggressiveness we haven’t ever seen from him. Don’t be surprised when he makes a play in the backfield on Sunday as he currently leads the team in TFLs.</p>
<h4 id="0mHKZx"><strong>5. Prediction time! Two-parter here. First, what’s your score prediction for Sunday? Second, which team is going to win the extremely muddled AFC West?</strong></h4>
<p id="JuZkdx">For my final score prediction, I’m going to go with 27-24 Chargers. Between these two teams, this game just has to be close. I’m predicting it’ll be close in the second half, one of the team’s will build a two-score lead, proceed to lose it, and then the outcome will be decided by a field goal. Whether it’s missed or made, a field goal will have the final say.</p>
<p id="IysiLH">As for who will win the AFC West, I believe it’s the Chargers’ to lose. They have the easiest strength of schedule out of all the teams in the division. So it’s as simple as that. If they can take care of business each and every week like they’re supposed to, they should be able to walk away at the end of the season as AFC West champs.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2021/11/13/22780710/minnesota-vikings-los-angeles-chargers-2021-week-10-five-good-questionsEric Thompson