The Week 8 edition of Thursday Night Football features two teams with playoff aspirations that desperately need to put their foot on the gas, with the Los Angeles Chargers playing host to the Minnesota Vikings.
Despite dropping three of their last four games, the Chargers are favored by a field goal, with the total set at 44.5.
However, tonight's Vikings vs. Chargers predictions expect a capable Vikings offense to exploit a seriously declining Chargers defense.
Here’s the breakdown of my NFL picks for Thursday, October 23.
Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, with the game airing on Prime Video.
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Vikings vs Chargers prediction
Vikings vs Chargers Best bet: Vikings team total Over 20.5 (-112)
The Los Angeles Chargers seem to get a pass when it comes to negative media coverage, but facts are facts, and their defense has been awful.
Over their last three games, they rank dead-last in the NFL in yards per play allowed, with the Commanders, Dolphins, and Colts all reaching at least 27 points.
The game against the Colts is especially concerning for the Chargers, as Indianapolis dropped 38 on them in just three quarters. They were dominated through the air and on the ground, and allowed touchdowns in four of five red-zone trips from the Colts.
Pass defense has become an increasing issue for Los Angeles as its last three games have seen an average of 7.6 yards per pass attempt, the NFL's sixth-worst mark in this span.
The Minnesota Vikings will exploit that poor pass defense. You can make fun of Carson Wentz all you want, but he has two separate 300+ yard passing games in his last three starts. Justin Jefferson has found a nice groove, topping 100 yards in two of his last three games.
Also specific to Wentz and this number of 20.5, Minnesota has reached at least 21 points in all four Wentz starts this season.
It’s been an unusual start to 2025 for the Vikings, with Wentz stepping in for J.J. McCarthy, along with back-to-back games in Europe, but this should be a great opportunity to find their footing and for the offense to dominate a struggling defense.
Vikings vs Chargers TNF same-game parlay
Reaching the 15-point mark won't be a sweat for either team.
The Vikings' path to victory will come through the air against a struggling pass defense, and Wentz is averaging an impressive 299.6 passing yards per game over his last three.
Meanwhile, the Vikings' pass rush, which ranks second in the NFL in pressure rate, should get enough stops to keep the Vikings ahead.
Vikings vs Chargers SGP (+595)
- Vikings moneyline (+145)
- Both teams to score 15+ points (-195)
- Carson Wentz Over 222.5 passing yards (-114)
Our big-ticket SGP: Justin Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson is once again looking like a top-tier receiver in the NFL with totals of 126, 123, and 79 over his last three games, and it's no coincidence that he has double-digit targets in all three.
With the Vikings passing at the third-highest percentage in the league in this span, expect these patterns to continue.
Vikings vs Chargers SGP (+1240)
- Vikings moneyline (+145)
- Both teams to score 15+ points (-195)
- Carson Wentz Over 222.5 passing yards (-114)
- Justin Jefferson Over 75.5 receiving yards (-118)
Vikings vs Chargers game predictions
Vikings vs Chargers moneyline prediction
With the Chargers hitting a skid and showing major red flags on both sides of the ball, this is as good an opportunity as any to take a shot on an upset pick.
Give me the Vikings, who’ve responded nicely after losing this season.
Vikings vs Chargers spread prediction
As currently constructed, the Chargers just might not be a very good team.
While the jury’s still out on the Vikings, I give Minnesota the edge on both sides of the ball, so I’ll gladly take the points.
Vikings vs Chargers Over/Under prediction
While it’s easy to pick apart the Chargers’ defensive issues, the Vikings haven’t exactly been slamming the door shut either. They rank 27th in yards per play allowed over their last three games.
With two aggressive passing attacks on the field, this one has all the makings of an Over.
Vikings vs Chargers odds
- Spread: Minnesota +3 (-110) | Los Angeles -4 (-110)
- Moneyline: Minnesota +155 | Los Angeles -185
- Over/Under: Over 44.5 (-110) | Under 44.5 (-110)
Vikings vs Chargers betting trend to know
Los Angeles has hit the 3Q game total Over in 15 of its last 19 games (+10.15 Units / 45% ROI). Find more NFL betting trends for Vikings vs. Chargers.
How to watch Vikings vs Chargers
| Location | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA |
| Date | Thursday, October 23, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 8:15 p.m. ET |
| TV | Amazon Prime |
Learn how to live stream Vikings vs. Chargers for free tonight.
Vikings vs Chargers latest injuries
Vikings vs Chargers weather
Expect a mild Southern California evening—daytime high around 72°F trending down toward the upper-50s by late night, under mostly clear to partly cloudy skies.
No rain is in the cards, and it should feel comfortable for players and fans alike.
With that said, SoFi’s unique “open-air under a canopy” design can still let breezes drift through the bowl and create occasional drafts, which matter most for specialists — long field goals, punts, and deep balls can ride or stall a touch more than you’d expect in a fully enclosed dome.
The stadium is classified as open-air despite its roof, and it has even seen a lightning delay before because the sides are open; airflow panels and openings are designed to tune wind flow inside the venue.
That means the Vikings’ and Chargers’ kickers and return units should be most sensitive to any subtle gusts, while quarterbacks should find ideal throwing conditions otherwise — cool, dry air and a fast surface that favors timing routes and yards after the catch.
Monitor gametime conditions with our live NFL weather info and learn how weather impacts NFL betting.
More Thursday Night Football picks from Covers
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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