Everything You Need to Know About This Week’s Vikings Game: Week 3 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers

Josh Frey |

Sep 20, 2023

Aug 26, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell takes the field before a game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

The Minnesota Vikings have dug themselves into an 0-2 hole to begin the year.

Last Thursday, Minnesota fell to the Eagles, 34-28, largely because of more turnover problems. They fumbled away the ball four times in a five-possession stretch.

Now, the Vikings head home in search of their first victory of the season when they take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. Here is a look at everything you need to about this week’s Vikings game.

Where to Watch This Week’s Vikings Game

Everything You Need to Know Ahead of the Vikings 1st Preseason Game — Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) is congratulated by head coach Kevin O’Connell after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter of a wild card game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings’ Week 3 matchup with the Chargers takes place at 12 PM Central on Sunday, September 24th inside U.S. Bank Stadium. The game will be broadcast on FOX, so folks in the Twin Cities can watch on FOX9.

Chargers/Vikings History

Vikings Win — Nov 14, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) waves to fans as he leaves the field after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Over the course of the history of the two franchises, the Chargers and Vikings have played a grand total of 14 times. The Vikings lead the all-time series 8-6, and they have won three consecutive games.

Most recently, the two teams met on November 14th, 2021, when the two teams played in Los Angeles. The Vikings won that game 27-20 behind 294 passing yards and 2 TDs from Kirk Cousins. The Vikings will need a similar performance from their QB in order to get the win this weekend.

Vikings Spotlight Player: OLB Danielle Hunter

NFL: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings — Sep 25, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) looks on before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Danielle Hunter entered training camp with some uncertainty regarding his future. He conducted a hold-in while he and the Vikings re-negotiated his contract, but once the deal was done, he immediately returned to the field.

Since then, Hunter has rewarded the Vikings for their commitment by leading the league in both sacks (4.0) and tackles for loss (5). This weekend, Minnesota will need their star pass-rusher to perform at a high level once again against an offense that has been a top-10 pass-blocking group in terms of their PFF grade.

Chargers Spotlight Player: RB Joshua Kelley

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) hands off to running back Joshua Kelley (25) in the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

Austin Ekeler sat out of LA’s Week 2 game against the Tennessee Titans, and there remains no timetable for his return to the field.

As a result, Joshua Kelley looks to be the lead back for Los Angeles once again in Week 3. The 2020 fourth-round pick totaled 16 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown last weekend, and in all, he has career totals of 242 carries for 873 yards and 5 TDs. The Vikings run defense will need to slow him down in order to get this win.

Week 2 NFL Schedule

Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) warms up before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings fans will be preoccupied at 12 PM on Sunday, but there are still plenty of fun matchups to check out across the league this week. Here is a look at the full Week 3 NFL schedule. All game times are listed in Central Time.

Thursday, September 21st

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers, 7;15 PM

Sunday, September 24th

Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions, 12 PM
Los Angeles Chargers at Minnesota Vikings, 12 PM
New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers, 12 PM
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 12 PM
Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins, 12 PM
Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns, 12 PM
Buffalo Bills at Washington Commanders, 12 PM
Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens, 12 PM
New England Patriots at New York Jets, 12 PM
Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks, 3:05 PM
Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs, 3:25 PM
Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals, 3:25 PM
Pittsburgh Steelers at Las Vegas Raiders, 7:20 PM

Monday, September 25th

Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 6:15 PM
Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati Bengals, 7:15 PM

Additional Links

Aug 3, 2023; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) during training camp at TCO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Also Read:
The New-Look Vikings Defense

NOTE: This article originially appeared on our sister-site, PurplePTSD.com

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.