Vikings vs. Chargers NFL Week 8 TNF Best Picks
Vikings vs. Chargers NFL Week 8 TNF picks
Thursday Night Football in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season is a cross-conference showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Chargers. Both teams have very real playoff aspirations, but neither one is off to a spectacular start. Minnesota is 3-3 after losing at home to Philadelphia this past weekend. Los Angeles owns a winning record at 4-3, but it has dropped three of its last four contests – including a 38-24 disappointment against visiting Indianapolis in Week 7. With Thursday’s contest set for 8:15 pm ET on Amazon Prime, it’s time to break down the odds and discuss the Vikings vs Chargers best bets to make.
Vikings vs Chargers TNF Predictions
Pick #1: Minnesota Vikings +3 over Los Angeles Chargers (-110)
Pick #2: Over 44.5 (-112)
Pick #3: Ladd McConkey to score a touchdown (+160)
PICK #1: Vikings +3 over Chargers (-110)
This feels like quite an even matchup between two solid but unspectacular teams that are both coming off home losses. It should also be a fascinating coaching chess match between two of the league’s best that are at opposite ends of the career spectrum – a veteran in L.A.’s Jim Harbaugh and an up-and-comer in Minnesota’s Kevin O’Connell. The margins will likely be small in this contest, which is why the value is with the Vikings plus the points.
The visitors also have an edge in the health department. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy remains sidelined, but Carson Wentz really isn’t a downgrade. Running back Aaron Jones is expected to return for the first time since Week 2
The Chargers, on the other hand, are depleted on both sides of the ball. Left tackle Joe Alt and linebacker Khalil Mack are sidelined for multiple weeks. Both of L.A.’s top two running backs are on the shelf; Najee Harris has been out since the season started and now Omarion Hampton is on injured reserve. The Bolts rushed for only 54 yards during last week's loss to the Colts, while QB Justin Herbert attempted a ridiculous 55 passes.
PICK #2: Over 44.5 (-112)
Los Angeles has surpassed the 20-point mark in five of seven games so far this year, while Minnesota has done the same in five of six. Although each defense has been decent through seven weeks, both units were arguably expected to be even better. Part of the issue has been injuries. Mack’s absence has been tough for the Chargers, while the Vikings’ defense has been without linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel for the past four outings (he is questionable for Sunday). Especially concerning for the Bolts is that they are giving up 5.1 yards per rush, which is the fifth-most in the league. Jones – assuming he plays – and an in-form Jordan Mason should be able to capitalize out of the Vikings’ backfield.
PICK #3: Ladd McConkey to score a touchdown (+160)
The Vikings boast a stellar defense, but they have allowed twice as many touchdowns through the air (eight) compared to on the ground (four). They are also giving up 7.5 yards per reception, the ninth-most in the NFL. McConkey should be able to take advantage. The Georgia product has scored a touchdown in two of the past three games, and in the last two, he has made a combined 16 catches on 24 targets for 167 yards. Well into plus-money odds, McConkey has good value to find the end zone on Thursday Night Football.
