Don't sleep on those Bolts...
The Los Angeles Chargers are 5-8, out of the playoff race and have no home-field advantage as visiting fans routinely overtake 27,000-seat Dignity Health Sports Park.
But Vikings coach Mike Zimmer seems to be having an easy time convincing his team that mentor Bill Parcells’ famous quote about being what your record says you are doesn’t apply to the Chargers team that will host the Vikings on Sunday.
“They beat Chicago. And they beat Green Bay,” said Zimmer, whose 9-4 squad has done neither. “When they don’t turn the ball over, they’re pretty hard to beat.”
And that, of course, brings us to the ultimate wild card in any game involving the Chargers the past 16 years and 222 consecutive games:
Philip Michael Rivers.
He’s third in passing yards (3,748) this season but also third in interceptions (15). He has nine touchdowns and two turnovers in five wins, but he also has 11 touchdowns and 15 turnovers in eight losses, including a comeback-killing pick at the goal line in the final minute of a 13-10 loss to a Lions team the Vikings beat twice by a combined 25 points.
“He’s going to throw the ball into tight spaces,” Zimmer said. “He’s going to give the receivers a chance.
http://www.startribune.com/veteran-chargers-quarterback-philip-rivers-a-cause-for-concern-for-vikings/566094811/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
There are other reasons for the Vikings not to look past the Chargers. Such as:
• All eight losses are by seven points or fewer. The Chargers’ point differential of plus-38 is better than 10-3 Seattle’s.
• In Jacksonville, Ekeler topped 100 yards both rushing and receiving in just 12 touches, the fewest ever needed. Herschel Walker set the previous mark of 15 touches in 1986.
• Mike Williams has a league-high eight catches of 40 yards or more.
• The Chargers rank 10th in total offense, fourth in total defense and eighth in points allowed (19.3).
• The Chargers are getting healthier with key starters such as left tackle Russell Okung and safety Derwin James — a “game-wrecker,” according to Zimmer — back in the lineup.
And, oh yeah, they won at Chicago and also beat the Packers at home by 15 points while holding them to 184 yards and two third-down conversions.
Personally I think this is going to be a difficult and dangerously easy game to lose...They better bring the A Game and not be looking past SD towards the GB MNF match-up.
If the Chargers are on their game and we aren't, we don't stand a chance in hell. Let's just hope that Rivers has a few more mistakes up his sleeve and that the Vikings get Thielen back and play the kind of complete game we haven't seen since, what, week 6?
I think this will be a tough game, and another good test like the Squawks road game.
If
the running game is shutdown again like it was against Seattle, Denver,
and KC, then I think we'll probably lose. The Vikes were lucky they
played a rookie QB against Denver. I doubt a vet QB like Rivers would
lose a big lead like that.
I think the Chargers
have the better D, and if they stop us from scoring more than 20,
they'll win. If the Vikes can control the ball and get Cook's running
game rolling, I like the Vikes to win this one by scoring often.
My main concern is the Viking defense. I'm not sure they can hold the Charges to fewer than 25 points.
Team Ranks
| MIN | LAC | |
|---|---|---|
| Home Record | 6-0-0 | 2-4-0 |
| Away Record | 3-4-0 | 3-4-0 |
| Record vs. Spread | 7-6-0 | 4-7-2 |
| Points Scored/Game | 26.1 (7th) | 22.2 (18th) |
| Points Allowed/Game | 19.2 (7th) | 19.3 (8th) |
| Takeaway Diff. | +5 (9th) | -10 (28th) |
| Pass Yds/Game | 239 (14th) | 278 (5th) |
| Rush Yds/Game | 135 (4th) | 97 (22nd) |
| Def. Pass Yds/Game | 236 (16th) | 196 (4th) |
| Def. Rush Yds/Game | 101 (11th) | 108 (17th) |
Bolts?? How about nails. Sleeping on a bed of nail is crazy.
This is just the next most important game of the year.
No pressure. Don't lose any sleep over it.
@"suncoastvike" said: This is just the next most important game of the year. No pressure. Don't lose any sleep over it.
Yup. Until next week! ;)
The bolts are a huge threat at home. we need to play well in all phases and protect the ball to win
I might be crazy but this game scares me more than the Pukers does.
@"1VikesFan" said: I might be crazy but this game scares me more than the Pukers does.
It should. I'd say, right now, the Chargers are the better team. Plus, we get the Packers at home.
Do the Vikings ever win on the West Coast?
If the Vikes win I'll breath a huge sigh of relief. The Rams are playing well right now and I actually think we probably need to win out to make the playoffs. Chicago beating GB would be a huge help.
@"pattersaur" said:If the Vikings lose to the Chargers, their hopes for winning the NFCN are all but gone, and they're at risk of not making the playoffs at all. A lot of fans have been counting their chickens in Viking land.Do the Vikings ever win on the West Coast? If the Vikes win I'll breath a huge sigh of relief. The Rams are playing well right now and I actually think we probably need to win out to make the playoffs. Chicago beating GB would be a huge help.
On the other hand, should the Vikings win, it bodes quite well for their NFCN championship possibilities and should almost insure their spot in the playoffs.
That's what championship caliber teams do in December when they need to. Win.
@"jargomcfargo" said:@"pattersaur" said:Do the Vikings ever win on the West Coast? If the Vikes win I'll breath a huge sigh of relief. The Rams are playing well right now and I actually think we probably need to win out to make the playoffs. Chicago beating GB would be a huge help.If the Vikings lose to the Chargers, their hopes for winning the NFCN are all but gone, and they're at risk of not making the playoffs at all. A lot of fans have been counting their chickens in Viking land.On the other hand, should the Vikings win, it bodes quite well for their NFCN championship possibilities and should almost insure their spot in the playoffs.
That's what championship caliber teams do in December when they need to. Win.
^^^ ThisWin in December, stay healthy, get on a roll...
Just looked it up. Under Zimmer the Vikings are 1-5 in games west of Colorado.
Maybe I should have, but I didn't include London games because I have no idea where that is. :p
Let's hope this time is different. Vikes need this one. Go get it. Skol!
I'm a huge Philip Rivers fan. I love the dude. Tons of balls, real OG.
@"StickyBun" said: I'm a huge Philip Rivers fan. I love the dude. Tons of balls, real OG.Plus, he doesn't pull out...
@"BarrNone55" said:Maybe he does, which is even more impressive.@"StickyBun" said: I'm a huge Philip Rivers fan. I love the dude. Tons of balls, real OG. Plus, he doesn't pull out...
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