Vikings vs. Chargers Game Observations: 2 Big Bounces Sway Wild Game
The Vikings lost their seventh fumble of the season to end their first possession of the game.
After marching the ball with five consecutive runs by Alexander Mattison to go from the Minnesota 43-yard line to the Los Angeles 26-yard line, a completion to Josh Oliver went for no gain on second-and-8.
The Chargers blitzed on the following play, and it was picked up by C.J. Ham, allowing a 9-yard completion to Hockenson, but Murray forced a fumble that was recovered by Alohi Gilman at the Chargers 21.
The Vikings were aggressive with multiple blitzes in the first half but only had three quarterback hits of Justin Herbert to show for it.
Minnesota lined up outside linebacker Danielle Hunter over the interior of the Chargers offensive line, and Hunter came close multiple times but was unable to reach Herbert.
D.J. Wonnum, who started in place of outside linebacker Marcus Davenport, recorded two hits of Herbert, and Josh Metellus recorded the other.
Herbert was getting the ball out quickly and made good use of his strong arm to zip the ball past defenders' outstretched arms.
Hunter eventually recorded a sack and knocked the ball from Herbert's hand, but the Chargers recovered and punted.
