ClutchPoints
Both the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Chargers were coming off disappointing losses to conference rivals when they met on Thursday night. Both teams were hoping to bounce back in prime time despite dealing with injuries on a short week. But the Chargers won in a blowout as Los Angeles thoroughly outplayed the Vikings in all three phases on Thursday Night Football.
Carson Wentz drew the start in Week 8 for Minnesota. The 10th-year veteran filled in for an injured J.J. McCarthy for the fifth straight game. The Wentz experience has been a bumpy ride for the Vikings. But he led the team to a 2-2 record as the starter entering Thursday night’s matchup. And Minnesota’s offense has generally looked better with Wentz at the helm than it did in McCarthy’s two starts.
However, Wentz deserves the lion’s share of the blame for the Vikings’ 37-10 loss to the Chargers. It’s not all on the quarterback, obviously. He wasn’t out there playing terrible defense or failing to pass protect. But Wentz simply did not play well enough for Minnesota to win.
To be fair, the much-maligned QB was limited in practice after injuring his left shoulder against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. And it was clear Wentz was playing through pain against the Chargers.
Additionally, the Vikings’ offensive line is both injured and ineffective. The unit was missing Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw left the game with a knee ailment. So Minnesota lost its two starting tackles.
Still, Wentz’s performance Thursday wasn’t good enough, especially considering the talent around him on the Vikings’ offense.
Wentz barely completed half his passes, going 15/27 for 144 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked five times by a stronger-than-expected Chargers’ defense. Of course the banged up O-line didn’t help matters but Wentz also consistently held onto the ball far too long, creating sack opportunities for LA.
The Chargers secondary did a good job limiting the Vikings’ dynamic pass catchers. This contributed to the quarterback’s tendency to hold the ball. But Wentz looked indecisive in the pocket. He wasn’t able to sustain the offense. Minnesota’s longest drive of the game was nine plays for a total of 35 yards. That led to a field goal.
The Vikings scored their sole touchdown Thursday after a Joshua Metellus interception set the team up deep in Chargers’ territory. But Wentz needed six plays and significant assistance from the officials to get in the end zone. After a replay review wiped out a fumble and two LA penalties extended the drive, Wentz finally. He found Jordan Addison in the back of the end zone for a four-yard score. It was Minnesota’s only touchdown of the game. The Chargers would respond by ending the contest with 13 unanswered points.
While Wentz’s dismal TNF performance deserves criticism, the Vikings’ run game shouldn’t go unmentioned when doling out blame. Minnesota got Aaron Jones back from a four-game absence Thursday....
