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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 enjoyed a bounce-back 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 pain of the first half, going into the locker room 21-3. This time, they flipped the script on the Vikings, owning a 21-3 lead and setting the tone for this game from the start.
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Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II (86) catches a touchdown pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
It appeared the Chargers would have to play from behind after Herbert was spotted by Isaiah Rodgers for a return touchdown, but the play was ruled an incomplete pass on the first drive. Herbert then settled in and methodically drove down the field for a 14-play, 83-yard touchdown run.
Tight end Oronde Gadsden II received Herbert’s first touchdown pass, as he had an eight-yard strike for six scores. It seems fitting that it’s Gadsden considering National Tight End Day is scheduled for this Sunday – he just started it 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 only needed an eight play, where Kimani Vidal, who was having a fantastic night on the ground, rushed from three yards out to make the score 14-0. Vidal finished the game with 117 yards on 23 carries.
The Vikings finally got a field goal, but the Chargers really managed to pull away when they drove 94 yards with Ladd McConkey catching a beautifully placed 27-yard pass from Herbert with 45 seconds left before halftime.
In the second half, the Vikings were finally able to find the colored paint, as Josh Metellus’ Herbert interception ultimately set up a touchdown pass to Jordan Addison to make the score 24-10.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) scores a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
But the decisive blow came when Herbert and the Chargers went on a 12-play, 73-yard drive, crushing 6:54 of the fourth quarter to find rookie receiver Tre Harris in the end zone to make the score 31-10.
Carson Wentz and the Vikings offense failed to spark any kind of comeback, as the Chargers defense continually put the veteran signal-caller on the ground, and he appeared to be in serious left shoulder pain.
Looking at the score from the box, Herbert finished 18 of 25 for 227 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He also totaled 62 rushing yards on seven carries.
Ladd McConkey was his best 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) returns to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
For the Vikings, Wentz was held to just 144 passing yards, although Justin Jefferson finished with seven catches for 74 yards.
