Vikings vs. Chargers — According to Madden 24
Ted Schwerzler
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Through the first two weeks of the regular season, the Minnesota Vikings are winless. Dropping a pair of winnable games is not ideal, especially as they were projected to be favorites during Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now facing the Los Angeles Chargers at home, it’s time to get in the win column. What does Madden 24 think of their chances?
Vikings vs. Chargers — According to Madden 24
Although the real-life Vikings have gone 0-2 to start the season, Madden 24 projected the action to be a split. With a win over the Buccaneers and a loss on the road to the Philadelphia Eagles, EA Sports’ simulation sees Kevin O’Connell as a better club than they have played on the gridiron.
Getting underway on the virtual gridiron, the Vikings kicked off the scoring with a first-quarter touchdown from Alexander Mattison. Despite the acquisition of Cam Akers, it was the veteran holdover punching the ball in on a one-yard reception from Kirk Cousins as time wound down in the first quarter. Minnesota’s seven points were the only thing on the scoreboard after the first 15 minutes.
In the second quarter, Madden saw the Chargers answer in a big way. Scoring 17 points, it started with a Justin Herbert three-yard quarterback scamper. Kicker Cameron Dicker then banged home a 30-yard field goal before Minnesota’s Greg Joseph matched the three points from 51 yards out. Running a successful two-minute drill, Mike Williams hauled in a 10-yard strike from Herbert to close the half with a 17-10 lead.
With O’Connell doing his own best Madden impression at halftime, the Minnesota coach rallied his troops in an effort to come out and respond in a big way. They shut down the Chargers offense in the third quarter and put up seven more points of their own. Rookie Jordan Addison beat his defender and grabbed Cousins’ pass for a 22-yard touchdown.
Knotted at 17 with just 15 minutes to play, both sides traded touchdowns. First, Cam Akers found paydirt for the first time with Minnesota. His five-yard run gave the Vikings their first lead of the second half. Unable to hold as time expired, the Vikings allowed Keenan Allen to catch a 22-yard touchdown from Herbert and send it to overtime.
Two prolific passing offenses were locked in a tight battle, and Madden 24 saw this one needing additional time to sort it out. Los Angeles began the extra session with the football, but Minnesota’s defense held strong. As overtime expired, K.J. Osborn brought down a 26-yard reception in the end zone to walk it off for the Vikings.
Cousins threw 39 times, completing 29 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Akers led the Vikings in rushing, picking up 72 yards on 19 carries. While Mattison had just 25 yards on his seven carries, he made the most of them. Through the air, Justin Jefferson led Minnesota in receiving with 76 yards on seven receptions. Tight end T.J. Hockenson grabbed eight passes for 71 yards of his own, and Addison turned his five catches into 62 yards.
The Vikings will be looking to find the win column on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, and if Madden 24 has anything to say about it, EA Sports video game believes Minnesota will emerge victorious as 30-24 winners.
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Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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