Vikings vs Chargers Week 10 Predictions, Picks, Odds, and Preview: Cousins, Herbert Lock Horns

(Photo : Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates with Matt Feiler #71 after scoring on a rushing touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 07, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Los Angeles Chargers returned to the top of the AFC West after a heart-stopping win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9. The Chargers will look to sustain the momentum of that huge victory when they face the struggling Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium. Read our preview to see who has the edge in this Vikings vs Chargers showdown.

Minnesota Vikings installed as +3.5 underdogs

The Minnesota Vikings crashed to their second straight loss with a gut-wrenching 34-31 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9. The Vikings had no answer for Lamar Jackson, who accounted for 388 total yards and three touchdowns. It was a disappointing result for the Vikings, who failed to take advantage of Green Bay's loss to Kansas City. They still trail the Packers by 3.5 games heading into Week 10.

The Vikings looked like they were on their way to a memorable win in Baltimore after building a 24-10 advantage early in the third quarter following Kene Nwangnu's touchdown on a kick-off return. The Ravens fought back furiously, however, scoring 21 unanswered points to grab a 31-24 lead.

Minnesota conjured a comeback of its own late in the fourth quarter, with Kirk Cousins finding Adam Theilen with a one-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 31. The Vikings had a grand opportunity to seal the win in overtime when Anthony Barr made an acrobatic interception to get the ball at their own 38.

The Vikings failed to get into field goal range, however, as they went three and out on the following possession. That set the stage for Justin Tucker's late heroics as he buried yet another game-winning field goal for the Ravens with 16 seconds remaining.

The Vikings have struggled on the road this season, going 1-3 in their away games. They will look to rectify that against a Chargers side that is 2-2 at SoFi Stadium this season.

Los Angeles Chargers enter Week 10 as -3.5 favorites

The Los Angeles Chargers finally snapped their two-game losing skid with a thrilling 27-24 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9. It was a critical victory for the Chargers, who grabbed a share of the lead in the AFC West standings with the Las Vegas Raiders, with both teams carrying similar 5-3 records.

Justin Herbert was outstanding in the win against Philly, completing 32 of 38 passes for 356 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Herbert also did some damage on the ground as he also ran for another score. Keenan Allen was Herbert's favorite target with the wide receiver catching 12 passes for 104 yards.

It was a huge bounce-back performance by Herbert, who struggled mightily in the Chargers' previous two defeats. He completed just 40 of 74 passes for 418 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions in the losses to New England and Baltimore.

Herbert and co. will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing a Minnesota team that is sixth-worst in the NFL in total defense, allowing 383.6 yards per game this season.