Week 8 Thursday Night Football Odds: Vikings vs Chargers

NFL
October 22, 2025

 

Thursday Night Football delivers an intriguing Week 8 matchup between two teams looking to rebound after disappointing losses. The Minnesota Vikings (3-3) travel to SoFi Stadium to face the Los Angeles Chargers (4-3), both hoping to get back on track and solidify their playoff positioning. 

With updated NFL Odds available at BUSR, this game sets up as a critical spot for bettors targeting value in the NFL Betting markets. Minnesota is coming off a 28–22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, while Los Angeles fell at home to the Indianapolis Colts 38–24. Each team has offensive weapons capable of lighting up the scoreboard, but both have shown inconsistency and defensive breakdowns that have frustrated fans and bettors alike.

This Vikings vs. Chargers matchup shapes up as one of the more volatile Thursday Night Football games of the season. Both teams have playmakers capable of swinging momentum, but neither has yet proven steady enough to inspire full confidence. With strong quarterback play, defensive inconsistencies, and fast-paced offensive approaches, this contest is poised to be one of the week’s most fascinating betting opportunities.

 

Minnesota Vikings: Searching for Consistency on the Road

 

The Minnesota Vikings enter Thursday’s clash looking to correct the errors that cost them a winnable game against the Eagles. Minnesota fell 28–22 despite a strong passing performance from Carson Wentz, who remains under center while rookie J.J. McCarthy continues to recover from a high ankle sprain. 

 

The Offensive

Wentz threw for over 300 yards against Philadelphia, showing flashes of the arm talent that once made him a top NFL quarterback. However, his two interceptions and occasional late reads limited Minnesota’s ability to finish drives.

Wide receiver Jordan Addison has been the offensive centerpiece since McCarthy went down. He hauled in nine receptions for 128 yards against the Eagles and continues to build chemistry with Wentz. His route-running and ability to win downfield could be key against a Chargers secondary that has given up chunk plays at inopportune times. 

The Vikings’ offensive line has done enough to protect Wentz but remains inconsistent in run blocking, a problem that could be exposed by Los Angeles’ front seven led by Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.

Minnesota’s rushing attack has struggled to establish a rhythm. Jordan Mason has assumed the lead-back role and provided steady, if unspectacular, production. The Vikings average just under 110 rushing yards per game, ranking near the middle of the NFL, and will need Mason to deliver positive early-down runs to prevent Wentz from facing constant third-and-long situations. The lack of explosive runs has put added pressure on the passing game, a trend that has hurt them in close matchups.

 

Is Minnesota Struggling with Their Defense?

Defensively, Minnesota has been competitive but rarely dominant. The Vikings allow 22.8 points per game, ranking 17th in the league, and have struggled to finish defensive series on third downs. The lack of consistent pass rush has been a major issue, especially against elite quarterbacks like Justin Herbert. Byron Murphy Jr. and the secondary have held up reasonably well, but they can’t be asked to cover indefinitely when the front seven fails to generate pressure. If Minnesota can contain Los Angeles’ vertical passing game and limit big plays to Keenan Allen and rookie Oronde Gadsden II, they’ll have a chance to stay in striking distance.

Special teams have been a stabilizing force, but turnovers and penalties have plagued the Vikings’ offense. Minnesota ranks near the bottom of the league in turnover differential, a stat that directly correlates with their three losses. For the Vikings to win on the road, Wentz must protect the football, Mason must keep the chains moving, and the defense has to produce timely stops.

 

Los Angeles Chargers: Herbert Looking to Regain Control at Home

 

The Los Angeles Chargers enter Week 8 at 4–3 but have lost three of their last four games, including a 38–24 defeat to Indianapolis that exposed both their defensive lapses and lack of offensive balance. Despite the loss, Justin Herbert remains one of the league’s premier quarterbacks. 

 

The Herbert Factor

Against the Colts, Herbert threw for 420 yards and three touchdowns, though two interceptions underscored the volatility of an offense that leans heavily on his arm. Herbert continues to rank among the top in the league in passing yards, and with NFL Odds at BUSR showing the Chargers as slight home favorites, his ability to produce under pressure will heavily influence NFL Betting markets for this matchup.

Herbert’s chemistry with Keenan Allen remains the backbone of the offense. Allen continues to be a chain-moving machine, consistently winning one-on-one matchups and converting key downs. The emergence of Oronde Gadsden II has added a deep threat that the Chargers previously lacked. Gadsden averaged over 23 yards per catch last week, stretching the field and forcing defenses to respect the vertical game. Against Minnesota’s inconsistent secondary, these two receivers could feast if Herbert gets adequate time in the pocket.

The problem for Los Angeles has been the lack of an effective running game. Kimani Vidal managed only 20 yards on nine carries against Indianapolis, and the team ranks near the bottom third in rushing production. The Chargers’ inability to control tempo or protect leads has placed enormous pressure on Herbert to make plays late in games. Establishing even moderate success on the ground would help balance the offense and prevent Minnesota’s defense from selling out to stop the pass.

 

Strong Enough?

Defensively, the Chargers have been unpredictable. They allow 23.3 points per game, placing them in the bottom half of the league. The pass defense, however, has been a bright spot, ranking in the top 10 in yards allowed thanks to strong performances from Asante Samuel Jr. and Derwin James. The run defense, on the other hand, has been vulnerable, surrendering more than 120 rushing yards per contest. That weakness could allow Jordan Mason and Minnesota to sustain drives if the Vikings commit to running the football early.

Still, Los Angeles has elite talent in the front seven. Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack remain game-wreckers capable of collapsing pockets and forcing turnovers. Against a quarterback like Wentz, who has a history of holding onto the ball too long, that pressure could lead directly to scoring opportunities. 

The Chargers have also excelled at home, where Herbert thrives in fast-track conditions. They average more than 28 points per game at SoFi Stadium this season, a factor that has made them one of the more reliable home favorites in recent NFL Betting action.

Health-wise, the Chargers remain relatively stable compared to their opponent. Key contributors like Bosa, Allen, and Mack are all expected to play, giving Los Angeles a full complement of stars heading into this short week. If the defense can tighten up against the run and Herbert avoids turnovers, the Chargers are well-positioned to control this matchup from start to finish.

 

Betting Recommendation

 

The Chargers -3.5 presents substantial value given the current form and matchup dynamics. Justin Herbert has been locked in despite recent team struggles, and his connection with Allen and Gadsden gives Los Angeles an explosive dimension that Minnesota’s defense is ill-equipped to stop. 

The Vikings’ pass rush has been pedestrian, which is a poor recipe against an elite quarterback operating from a clean pocket. With Carson Wentz under center, Minnesota’s turnover risk remains high, and the Chargers’ edge rush tandem of Bosa and Mack is perfectly positioned to exploit that.

Minnesota’s offensive inconsistency and lack of a proven running threat make it difficult to trust them on the road. Without McCarthy, the Vikings’ offense has become one-dimensional, and while Wentz can make plays, his mistakes have outweighed his production in critical moments. The Chargers have the offensive depth and defensive pressure to force Minnesota into predictable play-calling. Herbert’s efficiency on home turf and Los Angeles’ ability to capitalize on short fields should lead to a comfortable cover.

Both teams possess enough offensive firepower to push this game past the total of 44.5. Herbert is coming off a 400-yard performance and continues to orchestrate one of the league’s most potent passing attacks. With Keenan Allen’s consistency underneath and Gadsden’s vertical threat, the Chargers can score quickly and often. On the other side, Wentz’s aggressive style of play and Addison’s downfield ability open the door for big plays, even against pressure.

Defensively, neither team has been airtight. Minnesota has struggled to generate consistent pressure, and the Chargers have allowed too many rushing lanes and red zone conversions. Those weaknesses create opportunities for extended drives and scoring plays on both sides. Additionally, both quarterbacks are prone to turnovers, which often lead to short-field touchdowns, an essential consideration for total bettors.

Los Angeles has hit the Over in five of its last six home games, and Minnesota’s recent contests have also trended high due to their defensive inconsistencies. Given Herbert’s form and the Vikings’ reliance on Wentz’s arm, the tempo should stay fast enough to eclipse 44.5 points.

 

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