Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles Chargers
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
October 24, 2025 – 1:15 a.m. BST
Jordan Addison had a big day against the Eagles on Sunday
Off the back of a very short week, the Vikings travel to Los Angeles in week 8 to face a Chargers side who have struggled for form in recent weeks after a very strong start to the season. The Vikings themselves were inconsistent going into their bye week, and a loss to the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday puts greater urgency on this primetime clash.
Carson Wentz’ poor performance against his former team raised questions over whether he should start in Los Angeles, but with undrafted rookie Max Brosmer as the only other option while J. J. McCarthy is yet to put together a full week of practices since his injury, Wentz looks set to hold onto the starting job for another week.
With rookie running back Omarion Hampton out injured, the Chargers’ run game has sputtered the last few weeks, but Justin Herbert put up over 420 yards through the air against the Colts. Read on to find out what the Vikings defense will have to do to keep Herbert bottled up, and where you’ll be able to catch the game to see if they manage it.
How to watch Vikings vs. Chargers
- Vikings vs. Chargers date: Friday, October 24th
- Vikings vs. Chargers kickoff time: 1:15 a.m. BST
- Vikings vs. Chargers UK channel: Sky Sports NFL (Sky 408, Virgin Media 507, Now TV) / NFL Game Pass on DAZN (stream)
Don’t get caught out by the date, this game is technically on Friday morning for those of us in the UK and Ireland, but it still goes down as a Thursday Night Football contest in the United States.
As this is the Thursday Night Football fixture for week 8, it will be available to watch live and in full on both Sky Sports and NFL Game Pass on DAZN. Coverage on Sky Sports NFL will begin at midnight on Thursday night, and an hour later on Sky Sports Main Event.
What uniforms are the Vikings wearing against the Chargers?
The Chargers have designated this game to wear their throwback uniforms of navy blue jerseys and navy blue pants, reminiscent of the uniforms they wore in the 1990s and early 2000s while they were still located in San Diego. That means the Vikings will wear their white road jerseys and white pants to avoid any clashes.
Keys to the game
Josh Metellus was particularly disappointing in the pass game against the Eagles on Sunday
Sunday’s game against the Eagles felt much less close than the scoreline would have indicated. Carson Wentz had one of the worst games of his career, throwing two interceptions and missing potential touchdowns throughout the contest. Even the controversial call of no touchdown against T. J. Hockenson probably would have been a score had Wentz thrown him a better ball. Despite this, Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson managed over 200 receiving yards between them. If the offensive line can protect Wentz better and allow him to keep his composure, we should see a much improved performance when the Vikings are in possession.
Unfortunately, the Eagles had much more success in the passing game on Sunday, largely thanks to a few chunk plays. Josh Metellus was beaten over the top on fourth down for the Eagles’ first touchdown, while Isaiah Rodgers had a couple of plays where he was exposed – one that went for a 79-yard DeVonta Smith touchdown and the other that gave A. J. Brown a 9-yard conversion on third down to seal the game for the Eagles. Pass coverage and tackling have been two major issues for the Vikings this season, they’ll have to be on point on Thursday night to keep Justin Herbert bottled up.
Previous meetings
The Vikings and the Chargers have met 15 times since the NFL and the AFL merged in 1971, although only three times since the Chargers moved to Los Angeles in 2017, and only once at the team’s current home of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. That one meeting in 2021 finished in a 27–20 Vikings victory, thanks to a pair of touchdown passes from Kirk Cousins to Tyler Conklin. Justin Jefferson notched 143 receiving yards that day, while Dalvin Cook added to a 94-yard rushing performance with a touchdown of his own.
However, the two teams’ most recent encounter in 2023 saw the Chargers take victory at U.S. Bank Stadium. In a game in which the lead changed hands five times, the two teams combined for over 800 passing yards and seven touchdowns. Cousins connected with Jefferson for a 52-yard score early in the fourth quarter to put the Vikings in front; however, the Chargers went 75 yards in just over three minutes on the very next drive to score the game-winning touchdown.
The most historic meeting between these two sides came in 2007, when rookie running back Adrian Peterson rushed for an NFL-record 296 yards – 253 of them in the second half – helping the Vikings to a 35–17 win. That was even despite Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie returning a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown and the longest possible play in NFL history.
Vikings injury report
With J. J. McCarthy limited in the first practice of this short week, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Tuesday that Carson Wentz would be the starting quarterback for a fifth straight game despite himself being limited on Monday with the shoulder injury he suffered in London. McCarthy remained limited all week, but with a long week ahead of the next game against the Lions, he might force his way back into contention once we hit November.
DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins was a full participant in practice all week, meaning he should be fit to play on Thursday after being inactive against the Eagles. G Donovan Jackson also took full part, which means he should also play despite being listed with the wrist injury he had surgery on before the European trip.
Another good sign for the Vikings is that RB Aaron Jones’ 21-day window to return from injured reserve was opened on Tuesday; he’s questionable to face the Chargers, but his path to returning to action is now more clear after being limited in practice on Wednesday.
Unfortunately, OLB Andrew Van Ginkel and FB C. J. Ham were ruled out for Thursday Night Football; Ham didn’t practice all week after suffering a hand injury against the Eagles, while Van Ginkel remains week-to-week with a neck injury. T Brian O’Neill (knee) was limited in the final practice of the week and is questionable to face the Chargers, as is fellow tackle Christian Darrisaw, who was added to the injury report on Wednesday; he completely missed practice with a knee injury. RB Zavier Scott is the final questionable name for Thursday night, but he could be fit enough to feature in his usual backup capacity.
Chargers injury report
The Chargers only have one player ruled out for Thursday night: RB Hassan Haskins has been carrying a hamstring injury and didn’t practice all week. They also have seven more players who are questionable; at left tackle, both starter Joe Alt and backup Austin Deculus are dealing with ankle injuries, while starting right tackle Trey Pipkins was limited all week with a knee injury. OL Jamaree Salyer (knee) is questionable with a knee injury despite being a full participant in practice all week.
Starting linebacker and ex-Viking Troy Dye, and safety Elijah Molden both have thumb injuries. DL Jamaree Caldwell missed Tuesday’s practice with an illness and was limited on Wednesday, leaving him in doubt to face the Vikings. OLB Kyle Kennard (knee) is the only player from the injury report not to have a designation for Thursday night.
Score predictions
- Darren: Vikings 9, Chargers 21
- TPJ: Vikings 23, Chargers 17
- John: Vikings 24, Chargers 10
- Reece: Vikings 26, Chargers 20
Let us know your score predictions. Send us an email at UKVikingsFanClub@gmail.com or get in touch via any of our social media channels.
