A trendy playoff pick before the season, the Vikings lost in Week One and looked bad doing it, raising questions about whether their offseason improvement was a mirage.
In Weeks Two and Three the Vikings have done all they could to answer that, showing that they’re a good football team, on both sides of the ball.
Today the Vikings absolutely dominated the Chargers, winning 31-14 in a game that wasn’t even that close, as the Chargers scored a garbage-time touchdown after both teams had pulled most of their starters.
Adrian Peterson ran well for the second week in a row, carrying 20 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Teddy Bridgewater did not have a great game, but the Vikings didn’t need much from him, as they took an early lead and coasted through the second half.
The Vikings’ defense roughed up Philip Rivers, sacking him four times before he finally left the game in the fourth quarter. About the only positive for San Diego today was that wide receiver Keenan Allen had another outstanding game, with 12 catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
It was the second straight loss for the 1-2 Chargers, and the second straight win for the 2-1 Vikings, who are starting to make the people who picked them in the playoffs look smart.