Week 3 Predictions: Chargers vs Vikings

DK Sweets · Post by **DK Sweets** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 1:40 am

Nice rebound for the home team! That was a lot closer to what we were all hoping to see week one, but I'll settle for getting it in Week 2 (late is better than never).

I was able to see some of the Chargers/Lions game during Week 1, but I didn't see a lot of it and I didn't see any of their game versus the Bengals (besides highlights).

The Chargers have a variety of solid weapons in Keenan Allen, Stevie Johnson, and Malcolm Floyd. Floyd particularly scares me, not because he's ever been a great receiver but because he will have 7 inches height advantage over Newman or Munnerlyn. We might finally see Trae Waynes get significant playing time. They also have a nice 1-2 punch with Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead. I'm glad we got to sneak in while Antonio Gates is out, because even though he's not the player he once was, the last thing Phillip Rivers needs right now is another weapon. They didn't score a lot of points against the Bengals, but at times they moved the ball at ease against the Lions.

Their defense has held their opponents to fairly low scoring totals, but Giovani Bernard and Andy Dalton both had big games last week. The did a better job keeping the Lions contained, although early in the game it looked like the Lions could have scored 40 points. At this point, I have no clue what to expect out of that defense. Their secondary is vertically challenged, though, so I would bet Charles Johnson is targeted frequently and Mike Wallace (although not exactly a giant himself) gets an opportunity or two down the field.

Offensively, I expect the Vikings to build off of last week but show a bit more balance. Teddy will be efficient again and he'll see more opportunities to hit his receivers because of the attention that will be paid to Adrian. Adrian will be the focal point once again.

Defensively, I expect to see more of those long drives and Rivers trying to exploit the height advantages I mentioned earlier.

I think our D-Line will be the difference in this game. Last week I predicted that we would win the game if we could hold Ansah sack less and the Lions to 3 or less. This week, I think we win if Griffen can get 1 sack and as a team we can get 4 or more.

I do think we'll hit that number, and I think the score will be similar to last weeks score, although it will be a closer game.

jackal · Post by **jackal** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 5:49 am

ohh i forgot about Johnson .. they are loaded with weapons...

if our defense line does not go off I don't like our chances...

MountainGirl · Post by **MountainGirl** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 5:51 am

Hi. I'm a Bengals fan and big Zimmer fan. When the Bengals played the Chargers last week, it was a tough game. We were able to beat them in the trenches, and our defense (built by Zimmer) put pressure on Rivers all day. We managed to squeak out a win, but it wasn't easy. Turnovers on both sides, etc. The Chargers are a really good team, but with Zimmer running your defense, I think you can beat them. I'm predicting 20-17. Edit to say: All of Dalton's TD passes were to different receivers, but all of them were up against Brandon Flowers at the time.

IrishViking · Post by **IrishViking** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:18 am

I think a key point to take note of is that the Bengals ran for 175 rushing yards averaging 4.9 a carry. With their lead rusher, Bernard, busting out 123 yards on 20 carries with a 26 yard long one. The Back up RB averaged 3.9 on 10 carries with a long of 9. There is some space on the Chargers D for AP. I think the best way to beat Rivers is to not let him on the field. if we aim for a 35-40 minute TOP that's much less time for Rivers to use all those weapons. I expect to see a heavy dose of running plays with Teddy focusing in on Flowers, who, as our new friend pointed out, has been the Chargers equivalent of Robinson two years ago. I am hoping for a 200ish yard game out of Teddy with a couple of drive extending 15-20 yarders and I expect AP and Mckinnon to each do some serious work. AP probably around the 130 range and Mckinnon around 50-60.

If we get the ground game going, barring turnovers, I think we win this one. AP finally gets his TD and Ted throws for 2 more. Walsh goes 1/2 and we win 24-17

DK Sweets · Post by **DK Sweets** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 11:58 am

Thanks for your insight, MountainGirl!

IrishViking wrote:I think a key point to take note of is that the Bengals ran for 175 rushing yards averaging 4.9 a carry. With their lead rusher, Bernard, busting out 123 yards on 20 carries with a 26 yard long one. The Back up RB averaged 3.9 on 10 carries with a long of 9. There is some space on the Chargers D for AP. . . . AP probably around the 130 range and Mckinnon around 50-60.

3-4 defenses that can contain the edge typically give the Vikings fits. This isn't a great defense, but their focus is going to be on Adrian, so I wouldn't be surprised if he has a fairly low yardage total. Fortunately, that focus on Adrian should create opportunities (especially on play action) for Teddy to get the ball to our receivers. We don't have the tallest group in the league, but I still feel pretty good about our chances. I actually think this will be the game where Teddy shines and AD is the complement (which is weird to say, because I also think he will be what the offense revolves around)

Norv Zimmer · Post by **Norv Zimmer** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 12:14 pm

I think we dominate the ground game and the trenches and win handily. AP has a good game with 150+ 2 tds.

27-10 vikings.

Pondering Her Percy · Tue Sep 22, 2015 12:46 pm

Norv Zimmer wrote:I think we dominate the ground game and the trenches and win handily. AP has a good game with 150+ 2 tds.

27-10 vikings.

I like that call. Being home is definitely a huge advantage for us. Also, San Diego's defense isn't the strongest against the pass or the run. Plus, our passing defense has been pretty solid so far this year. I'll go with 27-10 as well. Look for Teddy to have a breakout game

Just Me · Post by **Just Me** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 2:54 pm

I'm going to say 23-17 Vikings. Walsh goes 1-3 on FG attempts and misses an extra point, but it's enough for us to win.

Purple bruise · Post by **Purple bruise** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 2:56 pm

Just Me wrote:I'm going to say 23-17 Vikings. Walsh goes 1-3 on FG attempts and misses an extra point, but it's enough for us to win.

If Walsh goes 1-3 and misses an expt. then he needs to be shown the door

Post by **Mothman** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 2:58 pm

Purple bruise wrote: If Walsh goes 1-3 and misses an expt. then he needs to be shown the door

LOL! Wait for it to actually happen before bashing your head against the wall.

Just Me · Post by **Just Me** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 3:03 pm

Purple bruise wrote: If Walsh goes 1-3 and misses an expt. then he needs to be shown the door

I'm (slightly) tongue-in-cheek here, but he's starting to frustrate me.

Purple bruise · Post by **Purple bruise** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 3:25 pm

Just Me wrote: I'm (slightly) tongue-in-cheek here, but he's starting to frustrate me.

I am waaaaay past being frustrated, there are high school players playing better than he is right now

jackal · Post by **jackal** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 4:50 pm

I think if we play a well it should be a win.. anything like Monday Night game, oh boy ...

The chargers will be the best team we have faced this year....

Then we get Noodle arm Manning in Denver...

PurpleKoolaid · Post by **PurpleKoolaid** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 5:10 pm

It should be another close one, if we run the ball A lot. If we dont run early and often, we will lose.
I think Norv runs it, Vikes 24-SD 21

DK Sweets · Post by **DK Sweets** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 5:16 pm

PurpleKoolaid wrote:It should be another close one, if we run the ball A lot. If we dont run early and often, we will lose. And you never know with road games for the Vikes.

I think Norv runs it, Vikes 24-SD 21

This is a home game.

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