Vikings vs. Chargers Odds & Predictions: Our Expert Picks for Thursday Night Football

⬇️ Under 44.5 (-108) ⭐⭐⭐

The Chargers' defense has been terrible over the last three weeks, conceding an average of 30.7 points per game. However, the Vikings offense isn't any better, averaging 18.8 points per game if you exclude the 48-point outlier against the lowly Cincinnati Bengals. They have the sixth-worst offensive DVOA and haven't scored more than 22 points in three games. (Carson) Wentz has thrown four picks in the last three games, two of which to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6, where he also fumbled. Meanwhile, (Justin) Herbert has struggled to cope with his makeshift offensive line. He tossed six interceptions in the last five games and has been sacked 20 times overall, tied for the fifth-most.

⚡️ Justin Herbert Over 252.5 passing yards (-113) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

After going over this number in the last two weeks, Justin Herbert gets a Vikings' pass defense that just got lit up by Jalen Hurts to the tune of 326 yards and three passing touchdowns. With the running back room decimated, Herbert has dropped back 38 and 55 times in the last two weeks, which includes a 420-yard, three-touchdown day in Week 7. With that type of volume, we should have no problem here as part of our best Vikings vs. Chargers player props.

💪 Kimani Vidal to score anytime TD (+125) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kimani Vidal, a sixth-round pick from the 2024 draft, will continue to play a larger role within the Chargers' injury-ridden backfield. Whether it be next man up or last man standing, Vidal played 67 and 64% of the snaps, respectively, over the past two games. In the first of those, against the lowly Miami Dolphins, Vidal totaled 138 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown. Last week, Vidal faced a much worse game script as the Bolts lost by two scores to the Indianapolis Colts. With L.A. favored by 3.5 points and an Over/Under of 44.5 points at home tonight, I expect this matchup to be much more like the first for the breakout rusher.

🥇 Keenan Allen to score first TD (+900) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Vikings' defense is an imposing one, especially against the pass while limiting wide receivers to a league low 50 receptions this season. But there's an easily imaginable scenario in which the Chargers exploit a mediocre Minnesota run defense to trot down the field and be in scoring position first. They could do that while riding with Kimani Vidal, who's only one week removed from racking up 138 yards from scrimmage. From there Allen can take over, as the veteran remains a heavily relied upon red-zone presence. Allen is in his age-33 season, and he's still tied for fourth with 11 red-zone targets, which the pass-catcher has turned into three of his four touchdowns. The most recent score came last week during a game when he also accumulated 119 receiving yards.

🚀 Best Thursday Night Football parlay

• Vikings +3.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Kimani Vidal Under 15.5 receiving yards (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Carson Wentz Over 11.5 rushing yards (-135) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: +475 via BetMGM ($10 to win $47.50)