Squirrel’s Nuts & Bolts: Vikings - Chargers Showdown Strategy (Week 8 NFL DFS)

Oct 23, 2025

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Week 8 of the NFL season kicks off with an interconference showdown as the Minnesota Vikings visit the Los Angeles Chargers in LA. The Chargers are favored by 3.5 points at home, with a game total of 44.5 points. Both teams are coming off losses, but remain competitive in the playoff picture with the Vikings sitting at 3-3 and the Chargers at 4-2.

The Chargers have seen their defense take a step back this season, sitting middle of the pack in yards and points per game allowed this year, after allowing the fewest points per game in the league last season. The passing game has made up the difference, however, with Justin Herbert leading the league in passing yards and his trio of talented WRs – Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Keenan Allen – all putting up between 380 (McConkey) and 435 (Allen) receiving yards this season. With both Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris on IR, the running game is led by Kimani Vidal, who looked excellent against the Dolphins two weeks ago with 124 rushing yards, before coming back down to earth with 20 rushing yards last week against the Colts.

Minnesota has had an up-and-down year, alternating wins and losses every game so far this season. Injuries have played a major role in the Vikings’ season, and Carson Wentz is expected to start again for Minnesota in place of J.J. McCarthy. Aaron Jones has missed the last four games but could return for this game, a critical piece of injury news we will need to monitor before the game. The receiving game is led by star WR Justin Jefferson, and has been boosted by the return of Jordan Addison, who has almost as many receiving yards in the last three weeks (283) as Jefferson (328).

Let’s break down this interconference showdown, highlight the key plays, and uncover the strategies that could help you climb the leaderboards.