The Chargers beat the Vikings, 28-24, in Week 3 of the 2023 season.
After the victory, here is what the national media thinks of the Bolts:
Buy Chargers TicketsUSA Today: 21 (Previous: 21)
“Currently the league’s most accurate (74.4% completion rate) and careful (0 INTs) passer, QB Justin Herbert just notched his 100th career TD pass. Too bad he won’t be throwing any more this year to injured WR Mike Williams.”
Touchdown Wire: 13 (Previous: 14)
“I don’t have any justification for the Chargers being this high other than their quarterback is too good for me to ever quit him. They sure tried their hardest to lose to the Vikings, though.”
NFL: 15 (Previous: 16)
“Even in a much-needed win, the Chargers left the door open for criticism with porous pass defense (again) and a questionable decision by Brandon Staley. Going for it on fourth-and-1 near his own end zone while leading by four late in the game was a wild risk, for sure; though his defense bailed him out, I wonder what the message would have been had it failed. Between that and Mike Williams’ season-ending ACL injury, it feels like the Chargers barely got to enjoy a road victory. All of this really overshadowed a special performance from Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen, doing it late without Williams or Austin Ekeler available. The Bolts host the Raiders this week, followed by the bye, which might not come at the worst time.”
CBS Sports: 22 (Previous: 22)
“They saved their season by winning at Minnesota, but Brandon Staley did what he could to lose the game. Why did he go for it late?”
ESPN: 14 (Previous: 17)
Offensive efficiency: 72.0 (3rd)
Biggest issue on offense: Running the ball
“After gaining 233 yards in the season-opening loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Chargers’ rushing offense has turned nonexistent. They have gained 91 yards on 36 carries over the last two games. In Sunday’s win over the Vikings, they averaged two yards per carry against a team allowing the third most rushing yards in the NFL coming into the game. The caveat is that the Chargers have been without starting running back Austin Ekeler, who has missed the last two weeks with an ankle injury. His return could turn this unit around.”
Yahoo Sports: 18 (Previous: 21)
“Mike Williams’ torn ACL is a huge injury, though one the Chargers should be able to navigate. Josh Palmer is underrated and he’ll see a bigger role. It puts a bright light on rookie first-round draft pick Quentin Johnston, who has played just 22% of the Chargers’ offensive snaps and has just 26 yards. If Johnston emerges, the Chargers can survive the Williams injury. It’s a big spot for the rookie, and how Johnston responds could determine where the Chargers’ season is going.”
“I don’t think it’s a secret that the Chargers avoided a special kind of hell against the Vikings. I credit Brandon Staley for not abandoning common-sense fourth-down decisions, even if the octogenarians on Fox NFL Sunday will tell you it shouldn’t be. His defense is slowly getting better situationally. I could easily see this team, with or without Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler, ripping off a longish winning streak.”
