The Chargers got to be the first team to play in the Minnesota Vikings brand new stadium, on national TV, a not-so-subtle scheduling decision from the National Football League. The Bolts also got to be the first team to lose to the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium but the 23-10 final is secondary to the real loss.
Running back Branden Oliver went down on a pass play late in the 2nd quarter and immediately signaled to the sidelines for help. Oliver has a suspected torn Achilles tendon and if that is the case he would be gone for the 2016 season.
Right tackle Joe Barksdale also suffered an injury, leaving the game in the 2nd quarter with an ankle issue. His ailment is not believed to be as serious. Another running back, Dreamius Smith, walked off slowly after taking a hit in the 4th quarter. His status was not immediately known.
The Chargers first stringers had some nice moments and some plays they’d like to have back. On their first two drives the Vikings offense moved the ball easily down the field, mostly on the ground. Running back Jerick McKinnon had a run of 35 yards on the opening drive and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater scrambled for 22 yards on the next drive.
Both times Minnesota got inside the 10-yard-line and both times failed to get in to the end zone. Minnesota kicked a pair of short field goals to take a 6-0 lead.
The Chargers first drive ended when Philip Rivers tried to connect with Keenan Allen but the ball was deflected in the air along the sidelines and intercepted by Vikings safety Harrison Smith. In the 2nd quarter the Bolts offense got a shot of life. Rivers audibled to a run play and Melvin Gordon saw a hole you could sail a Viking ship through.
Gordon took off up the middle for a 39-yard touchdown, the first rushing score of his NFL career. That signaled the end of the afternoon for Rivers, who will not play in a game again until the regular season opener on September 11 at Arrowhead Stadium. Gordon also called it a day after rushing four times for 51 yards.
Josh Lambo kicked a field goal to put the Chargers on top 10-6 but at the end of the first half Bridgewater got hot. The Vikings had the ball at their own 32 yard line. Three plays later they had a touchdown. Bridgewater connected with Charles Johnson for 19 yards, Stefon Diggs for 22 yards, and Kyle Rudolph for 27 yards and a touchdown that gave Minnesota a lead they’d never relinquish.
The Chargers offense failed to score under the direction of Kellen Clemens or Mike Bercovici but if you're looking for another positive it would be rookie punter Drew Kaser, who dropped three punts inside the 10-yard-line and looked like a young Mike Scifres.
The Chargers play their final preseason game of the year on Thursday, September 1, against the 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium.
