When Justin Herbert, the 27‑year‑old quarterback of the Los Angeles Chargers, tossed three touchdown passes, the Minnesota Vikings never recovered.
The showdown took place on Thursday night, October 23, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, as part of Thursday Night FootballInglewood, CA. The primetime broadcast on NBC drew an average of 14.7 million households, according to Nielsen.
Game Snapshot and What Happened
From the opening drive, the Chargers dictated the tempo. The first quarter ended 7‑0 in Los Angeles’s favor, and by halftime the scoreboard read 21‑3. The Vikings managed a field goal before the half, but the Chargers answered with two quick touchdowns. In the third quarter the Vikings clawed back to 10‑24, yet the Chargers sealed the deal with a 13‑point burst in the final period, closing out a 37‑10 victory.
Statistically, Herbert completed 24 of 32 passes for 287 yards, posted a passer rating of 128.7 and, crucially, threw no interceptions. The Chargers racked up 188 points for the season, the second‑highest single‑game total after a 41‑point outburst against the New York Jets three weeks earlier.
How Justin Herbert Took Over
Herbert’s poise was evident from the get‑go. After a shaky start to the season, the quarterback found his rhythm on a crisp 41‑yard strike to Mike Williams, setting up the first touchdown. He then connected twice more in the red zone – a quick slant to Joshua Palmer and a deep pass to Keenan Allen – each resulting in scores.
Post‑game, Herbert said, "We stuck to the game plan, trusted each other, and the execution just clicked. It feels good to get back on track after the loss to Kansas City." His confidence seemed to ripple through the offense, which tallied 352 total yards, 63% above their season average.
Coaching Strategies and Turnarounds
Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers’ head coach, opted for an aggressive aerial attack early, forcing the Vikings into a catch‑up mode they never recovered from. Harbaugh’s decision to stay aggressive on third down (12 attempts, 9 conversions) contrasted sharply with Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, who fell back to a conservative running game that netted just 78 rushing yards.
One of the few bright spots for Minnesota was a 23‑yard reception by Justin Jefferson, but the play came too late to change momentum. After the game, O'Connell admitted, "We didn’t execute our own game plan effectively. The defense had gaps we need to fix before Sunday."
Impact on Division Race
The victory nudged the Chargers to 5‑3, moving them into sole possession of second place in the AFC West behind the Denver Broncos (5‑2). Their winning percentage now sits at .625, with 188 points scored and 173 allowed.
For the Vikings, the loss dropped them to 3‑4, leaving them in fourth place in the NFC North. Their .429 winning percentage trails the Green Bay Packers (4‑1‑1) and the Detroit Lions (5‑2‑0). The Vikings have now lost three straight road games, a slump that could jeopardize their playoff hopes.
Looking Ahead
Next week, the Chargers travel to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots on Sunday, November 2. A win there would cement their push for the AFC West crown and give Harbaugh a chance to showcase his offense against Bill Belichick’s defense.
Meanwhile, the Vikings host the Seattle Seahawks at U.S. Bank Stadium on the same day. Coach O'Connell will need to spark a comeback in his own backyard if he hopes to keep the Vikings alive in the tightly contested NFC North.
- Final score: Chargers 37, Vikings 10
- Herbert stats: 24‑32, 287 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs
- Turnover margin: +2 Chargers
- Time of possession: Chargers 33:45, Vikings 26:15
- Attendance: 68,112 (full capacity)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this loss affect the Vikings' playoff chances?
Dropping to 3‑4 leaves Minnesota in fourth place in the NFC North. They now need to win at least five of their remaining nine games and hope the Packers and Lions stumble in order to clinch a wild‑card berth.
What adjustments might Jim Harbaugh make before facing the Patriots?
Harbaugh is likely to keep the pass‑heavy approach that worked so well, but he may add more play‑action runs to keep New England’s secondary honest. Expect a balanced attack that still leans on Herbert’s accuracy.
Did any Vikings player stand out despite the defeat?
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson caught a 23‑yard pass and posted 72 yards total, showing he can still create big plays. However, the offensive line’s protection issues limited his effectiveness.
How did the viewership for this Thursday Night Football game compare to last week?
Nielsen reported 14.7 million households tuned in, edging up slightly from the Chiefs‑Chargers matchup the week before, which drew about 14.3 million. The high‑scoring nature of the game likely helped retain viewers.
What records did the Chargers set with this win?
The 27‑point margin is the Chargers’ biggest victory of the 2025 season. It also marks their second‑highest point total in a single game, trailing only the 41‑point outburst against the Jets in Week 3.