USATSITwo winless teams that are still hoping to make the postseason will square off on Sunday afternoon when the Minnesota Vikings host the Los Angeles Chargers. Minnesota is coming off a 34-28 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday, while Los Angeles lost to the Tennessee Titans in overtime last Sunday. The Vikings sprung a 27-20 upset as 3.5-point road underdogs the last time these teams met, which came in 2021.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota is favored by 1 point in the latest Chargers vs. Vikings odds, and the over/under for total points scored is 54. Before making any Vikings vs. Chargers picks, you need to see the NFL predictions and betting advice from the computer simulation model at SportsLine.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up more than $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season on an incredible 164-117 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. It is also on an 18-9 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of last season.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94 percent of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.
Now, the model has set its sights on Vikings vs. Chargers and just locked in its picks and NFL Week 3 predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Vikings vs. Chargers:
- Vikings vs. Chargers spread: Vikings -1
- Vikings vs. Chargers over/under: 54 points
- Vikings vs. Chargers money line: Vikings -113, Chargers -106
- Vikings vs. Chargers picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Vikings vs. Chargers live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why the Vikings can cover
Minnesota comes into this game with extra rest after playing a close game against Philadelphia last Thursday. Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns, with star wideout Justin Jefferson accounting for 159 of those yards. Jefferson has gone over 150 receiving yards in each of his first two games, leading the league in receiving yards heading into Week 3.
Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) will miss Sunday's showdown, which bodes well for the Vikings. Los Angeles has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games dating back to last season, and it is 2-5 straight up in its last seven road games. The Vikings have won four of the last five meetings between these teams, covering the spread in all five of those contests. See which team to pick here.
Why the Chargers can cover
The Chargers have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Justin Herbert. The former Oregon standout is capable of single-handedly keeping Los Angeles in games, and he has played turnover-free football thus far in 2023. Through two games, Herbert has completed 50 of 74 pass attempts for 534 yards and three touchdowns.
Herbert's top two targets remain veteran wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Allen is coming off a big Week 2 performance against the Titans where he caught eight passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns. For the season, Allen has 14 receptions for 187 yards and two TDs on 19 targets. Williams has added 12 catches for 128 yards on 18 targets. See which team to pick here.
How to make Chargers vs. Vikings picks
The model has simulated Vikings vs. Chargers 10,000 times and the results are in. It is leaning Over on the point total, and it also says one side of the spread is the better value. You can only see the model's Vikings vs. Chargers pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Vikings vs. Chargers on Sunday, and which side of the spread is the better value? Visit SportsLine right now to see which side of the Chargers vs. Vikings spread you should be all over Sunday, all from the model on a 164-117 roll on its top-rated NFL picks, and find out.
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