The Week 3 meeting between the Vikings and Chargers was dubbed with various names: The Desperation Bowl, Must-Win in Minnesota, Backs Against the Wall Sunday.
Both squads were looking to avoid an 0–3 start because the odds of making the postseason with the dreaded record are slim, but the consequences for the loser were as distinct as this winless matchup with different names.
With the Chargers prevailing, 28–24, in Minneapolis, Brandon Staley won’t have to hear Stephen A. Smith and other TV talking heads scream at the top of their lungs Monday morning that the Chargers should fire him. There will probably be mentions of it, because Staley recklessly decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 24-yard line, giving the Vikings another opportunity to steal the game.
