Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz must show more consistency against the Chargers than he has to this point. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Sportsfile via Getty Images
The Minnesota Vikings are not having a season that is anything close to what they achieved last year. The 14-3 regular-season records that saw them put together five- and nine-game winning streaks is now all but out of reach.
After refusing to win against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Vikings will play in Los Angeles Thursday night against the equally mysterious Chargers (4-3). This was supposed to be the reunion between Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh and J.J. McCarthy, the quarterback who brought him a national championship at Michigan.
McCarthy will be on the sidelines, but head coach Kevin O’Connell explained he is still not ready to play. The high ankle sprain prevents McCarthy from moving sufficiently to play against an NFL opponent and that means Carson Wentz will get another opportunity to start.
The Chargers do not represent the same kind of defensive threat that the Eagles did last week. A year ago, the Chargers had the top-ranked scoring defense in the league. They have fallen to 18th this season and the combination of O’Connell, Wentz, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison has to take advantage of their decline in the rankings.
The Eagles had game wrecker defensive tackle Jalen Carter in the lineup and while he had just 3 stops in the game, he was putting pressure on Wentz on several crucial plays. He impacted the second quarter interception that was returned for a touchdown by Jalyx Hunt. Wentz was looking for Carter on nearly every play after that and he was unable to find several open receivers.
The Chargers have veteran linebacker Khalil Mack who is supposed to be their primary pass rusher. The 13-year veteran has some skills, but most of the Chargers’ pass rush comes from outside linebacker Tuli Tuipolotu. He has a team-leading 5.0 sacks, but he is unlikely to cause the havoc that Carter did last week.
Wentz has to avoid the panic that impacted his play throughout the game. He was able to move the ball up and down the field, but he was unable to get the job done in the red zone. The Vikings were held to one TD in six opportunities inside the 20 and that’s something that O’Connell and the coaching staff can’t abide.
O’Connell may have to consider QB change
Head coach Kevin O’Connell may have a decision to make at the QB position if Carson Wentz struggles in the red zone. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Getty Images
If the Vikings fail in their first two red zone opportunities against the Chargers, it would not be a shock to see rookie Max Brosmer get his chance under center. O’Connell loves what he has seen from Brosmer this summer and in practice and if there’s one coach who can build confidence in a quarterback, it is the Vikings’ leader.
A win over the Chargers is needed to rescue the season. The Vikings have fallen to 3-3 and they have followed a win-one, lose-one pattern through the first six games. A win over the Chargers would provide a bit of confidence, but a loss would drop them to 3-4 with the Detroit Lions on the horizon.
The Lions are the best team in the NFC this season and they have beaten the Vikings in their last five encounters. Dropping three games in a row in the brutal NFC North division would likely force the Vikings to settle for a non-playoff season. A last-place finish in the division would be possible.
The Vikings need their defense to stifle Justin Herbert and his receiving crew. Brian Flores has seen his defense take a step back from last season. The defense gave up multiple big plays to Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith and there’s little doubt that Herbert can pick apart the secondary if he gets enough time.
The Minnesota Vikings need big performances from Blake Cashman, Jonathan Greenard and Dallas Turner when it comes to limiting the Chargers’ passing game. Andrew Van Ginkel is still out, and the Vikings 11th-ranked scoring defense is going to have to do it without the instinctive big-play maker.