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The Los Angeles Chargers took care of business on “Thursday Night Football,” dominating the Minnesota Vikings, 37-10, in a game where Justin Herbert shined with three touchdown passes.
The Chargers had a comeback win after losing to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday to improve to 5-3, while the Vikings fell to 3-4 on the year.
Last week, it was the Chargers who felt the first half sting and went into the locker room down 21-3. This time they flipped the script on the Vikings who had a 21-3 lead and set the tone for this game from the jump.
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Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II (86) catches a touchdown pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 23, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
It looked like the Chargers were going to come from behind after Herbert was picked off by Isaiah Rodgers for a touchdown return, but the play was ruled an incomplete pass on the opening drive. Herbert settled down after that and methodically went down the field for a 14-play, 83-yard touchdown drive.
Tight end Oronde Gadsden II was the recipient of Herbert’s first touchdown pass as he secured an eight-yard strike for six points. It seems fitting that it was Gadsden considering that National Tight End’s Day is set for this Sunday – he just got it started a little early in Week 8.
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The Chargers continued their touchdown trend on their second drive, but this one was much quicker as Herbert needed just eight plays, with Kimani Vidal, who had a great night on the ground, rushing in from three yards out to make it 14-0. Vidal finished the game with 117 yards on 23 carries.
The Vikings finally got on the board with a field goal, but the Chargers were able to really pull away as they went 94 yards with Ladd McConkey hauling in a beautifully placed 27-yard pass from Herbert with 45 seconds left before halftime.
In the second half, the Vikings could finally find the paint as Josh Metellus’ interception of Herbert eventually set up a touchdown pass to Jordan Addison to make it 24-10.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) catches a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 23, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
But the game-sealer came when Herbert and the Chargers went 12 plays and 73 yards and blew 6:54 off the clock in the fourth quarter to find rookie receiver Tre Harris in the end zone to make it 31-10.
Carson Wentz and the Vikings’ offense were unable to spark anything of a comeback as the Chargers’ defense constantly put the veteran signal caller on the ground and he looked in significant pain with his left shoulder.
Looking at the box score, Herbert finished 18-of-25 for 227 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He also had 62 rushing yards on seven carries.
Ladd McConkey was his top receiver with 88 yards on six catches. Gadsden added five catches for 77 yards, while Keenan Allen had 44 yards on four receptions.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 23, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
For the Vikings, Wentz was held to just 144 yards passing, though Justin Jefferson finished with seven catches for 74 yards.
