Stars shine for Vikes
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Coach Mike Zimmer said earlier in the week that his Vikings still had plenty of fight. On Sunday, they proved it, and possibly put their season back on track.
The Vikings bounced back from two close losses and one of the most tumultuous weeks of Zimmer’s eight-season tenure with a 27-20 victory against the Chargers.
“I told the team it takes a lot of courage to fight through adversity when everybody’s shooting arrows at you,” Zimmer said. “They came here to work and they fought like crazy all week, like they always have, and it finally paid off.”
The Vikings (4-5), whose five losses this season have been by a combined 18 points, came into the game with five players on the COVID-19 list, including starting safety Harrison Smith and center Garrett Bradbury. They also were missing four other defensive starters because of injuries.
Kirk Cousins threw a pair of touchdown passes to Tyler Conklin, and Dalvin Cook rushed for 94 yards and a score. Justin Jefferson, who had only five catches in the last two games, tied a season high with nine receptions for 143 yards.
“I feel like any receiver would be a little frustrated for just wanting to be a big part of the offense, wanting to make big plays, be a big part,” Jefferson said. “This game, we stressed about giving me the ball, giving me the opportunity to go make plays, and definitely grateful for that and making those plays.”
The Chargers (5-4) have dropped three of their last four. Justin Herbert was 20-for-34 for 195 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Keenan Allen had eight catches for 98 yards.
The Vikings went up 13-3 in the second quarter on a five-yard touchdown pass from Cousins to Conklin. Minnesota had a short field to work with after a diving interception by Eric Kendricks at the Chargers’ 31.
“I thought he made a great play,’’ Herbert said. ‘‘That’s a tough situation and one of those things where maybe you have to move on to your next read.”
The Chargers scored on touchdowns by Larry Rountree and Austin Ekeler for a 17-13 lead.
The Vikings then regained the lead with 2:33 remaining in the third quarter. On fourth-and-goal from the 1, Conklin was open in the back of the end zone on a crossing route after Chargers safeties Derwin James and Alohi Gilman ran into each other.
Cook extended the Vikings’ advantage to 27-17 early in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run. The 24 carries by Cook was the secondmost he has had this season.
“Dalvin is a extremely resilient, competitive person that is a great team leader,” Zimmer said. “I love the way he plays.”
Dustin Hopkins’ second field goal got the Chargers within a touchdown, but they didn’t get the ball back. Cousins connected with Adam Thielen for an 18-yard completion on third-and-18 from the Vikings’ 46, and Cook had a fouryard gain on fourth.
“I thought both fourth-down calls were great,’’ said Cousins, who completed 25 of 37 passes for 294 yards. ‘‘They hit. I think we needed both of them too, to be able to win that game.”