After the first five weeks of play, the Chargers seemed destined for great things. However, this Sunday they were defeated at SoFi Stadium 27-20 against the Vikings, with which, Los Angeles accumulates its third defeat in the last four games and inevitably leads us to question the true potential of this team. Contenders? Suitors? In this article we will tell you about it.
The Chargers go into a tailspin and the outlook gets tough
The Chargers’ 2021 NFL Season looked for big things at the beginning of the year, however, as time passes, the team is falling into a hole of mediocrity from which, if they don’t come out soon, they could end up without a division leadership and even without a ticket. to the postseason by the end of the year. This afternoon they were defeated in their own stadium 27-20 by the Vikings, and with that, Los Angeles is put on a worrying 5-4 record, having lost three of the last four games.
Today QB Justin Herbert did not have an outstanding performance; his finish line was 20 of 34 completions for 195 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. Statistics too inconsistent, like the performance he had against Minnesota. In fact, Herbert, in the team’s last three losses, has only recorded 4 TDs and 4 INTs. The “spark” that we had seen as a rookie and earlier this season is waning, and he will have to find a quick solution before it becomes a habit.
But who did shine on offense was WR Keenan Allen, who reached 98 total yards and accumulated 202 in the last two games. Additionally, RB Austin Ekeler contributed 1 touchdown and 59 total yards from the scrimmage line in the loss. While kicker Dustin Hopkins was 2-for-2 on field goals and maintains 100% effectiveness in the department since recently arriving in Los Angeles.
In the defensive category there is not much to celebrate either. Leaving aside LB Amen Ogbongbemiga and DE Joey Bosa, who registered 1 sack each, on this side of the field the team did practically nothing. They allowed 381 total yards, and 100+ were by land, so Los Angeles continues to remain one of the worst against ball carries throughout this 2021. Also, at the end of the game, when they needed it most. stop the Vikings attack, they failed in a 4 & 2 that sealed the victory of Minnesota, who still live in the NFC.
We WON pic.twitter.com/j5H7DZBBhv
– Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 15, 2021
The Vikings finally manage to hold on to victory
Minnesota this afternoon pulled off an unusual feat: They managed to hold on to a tight result. Throughout the year, 8 of their 9 games have been decided by one possession or less, and although they usually come out with an adverse result, this time they managed to prevail to get with a 3-5 record in games of this type, and they remain longer. alive than ever to fight in the NFC for that last Wild Card postseason ticket.
QB Kirk Cousins completed 25 of 37 shipments for 294 total yards and 2 TDs, commanding the Vikings offense, but not without being backed up by the great performance of WR Justin Jefferson, who had his best game of the season receiving the ovoid 9 times for 143 total yards. To the previous performances are added that of RB Dalvin Cook who, despite living an extra-court scandal, registered 1 TD and 94 yards on 24 carries.
Meanwhile, on the defensive side there was also an individual performance that this afternoon raised his hand. This is LB Erick Kendricks, who made his second interception of the year and also captured Justin Herbert on 1 occasion, showing that even with the absence of DE Danielle Hunter, the Vikings pass rush, second best in the entire NFL with 28 sacks, it stays alive.
Thus, after this marker, the Chargers are positioned with a 5-4 record in a very tight AFC West where, in the absence of the Chiefs-Raiders meeting, they all have the same number of victories within the division, so try to give a clear candidate is very difficult. On the other hand, the Vikings, with 4-5, are located with the same record as Atlanta and only half a game of difference than Carolina in search of the seventh position in the National Conference.
Can the Vikings make the postseason? Can it be said that the Chargers are no longer contenders in the AFC? We read you in the comments below this article and on our social networks.
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Chargers begin to sink into AFC mediocrity