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Vikings after 37-10 loss to Chargers: 'That wasn't our brand of football'
Vikings players Blake Cashman, Josh Metellus, Aaron Jones and Justin Jefferson react from the locker room after a 37-10 loss to the L.A. Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Thursday Night Football to drop to 3-4 on the season.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings fell to 3-4 on the season after a 37-10 loss to the L.A. Chargers on Thursday Night Football at SoFi Stadium.
They’ve lost two straight games out of the bye week, and there was nothing controversial about Thursday’s game. The Vikings were out-played in every imaginable way, between a shaky offensive line and a defense that played arguably its worst game of the season.
Kevin O'Connell didn't sugar-coat the effort after the loss.
"Nothing much to say. We got out-played, we got out-coached, there are no excuses. Injuries, short week, whatever it is, that is not in any way, shape or form our standard of what we want to put on the field," O'Connell said. "We need to own this, this is not a bury the tape kind of time for our organization. It falls on me, I didn't have our team prepared to play."
The big play
How it happened:
Things unraveled for the Vikings on their first defensive drive. Isaiah Rodgers appeared to have an interception returned for a touchdown, but it was overturned after a review showed the ball hit the ground. The drive ended with Justin Herbert hitting Oronde Gadsden for an 8-yard touchdown to give the Chargers an early 7-0.
It was just the start of the Vikings’ issues.
Rough night for the defense
Why you should care:
There’s no sugar-coating it, the Vikings’ defense under Brian Flores has struggled this season. They were atrocious Thursday night, aside from a Josh Metellus interception. The Chargers, with the return of offensive lineman Joe Alt, ran for 210 yards and averaged 5.3 yards per carry.
Kimani Vidal had 23 carries for 117 yards and touchdown. Herbert threw for 227 yards, and touchdowns to Ladd McConkey, Gadsden and Tre Harris. Herbert’s touchdown to McConkey gave the Chargers a 21-3 lead at the half.
He hit Harris from six yards out to give the Chargers a 31-10 lead with 12:42 to play, effectively putting the game away.
"Where do I start? That wasn’t our brand of football," linebacker Blake Cashman said.
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Vikings QB Carson Wentz: 'I was in a good amount of pain'
Vikings QB Carson Wentz spoke with reporters after a 37-10 loss to the L.A. Chargers on Thursday Night Football at SoFi Stadium.
Carson Wentz’s struggles continue
Dig deeper:
Playing through an injured non-throwing shoulder, Carson Wentz continued to struggle in his fifth start with the Vikings. He finished 15-of-27 for 144 yards, one touchdown to Jordan Addison and an interception. He was sacked five times before Max Brosmer replaced him in the final two minutes.
Wentz was clearly favoring his left shoulder with every hit he took Thursday night, and he took a lot of them. He said after the loss he had the most padding he's ever worn in a game on the shoulder, but it didn't impact his throws or mechanics. After his final drive, he tossed his helmet in frustration while also dealing with extreme shoulder pain.
"Yeah not proud of that. Apologize to the equipment guys for that one. But yeah, I was in a good amount of pain there," Wentz said.
Lions next
What's next:
The Vikings have a mini bye this weekend, and travel to Detroit next Sunday. The hope is J.J. McCarthy’s ankle is healthy enough to play. But if the offensive line and defense continues to struggle, it may not matter.
"Being together as a team, leaning on one another and going out there with that F it mentality and see where it takes us," Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson said. "We feel like we have the players on this team, we have great coaches, it’s just about every single body out there on that field doing what they need to do and executing at the fullest potential."