10 Vikings-Chargers Numbers of Note: Vikings Looking for Rare Win in Los Angeles

[Viktor]

Here’s a look at 10 numbers of note heading into Sunday’s matchup:


31 — The Vikings are looking for their first win in Los Angeles in nearly 31 years, as Minnesota’s last victory in LA was a Wild Card playoff win over the Rams in December of 1988. The Vikings last beat the Chargers in Southern California in 1981 — a game that was in San Diego, where the Chargers were based from 1961-2016 after playing their inaugural season in Los Angeles (1960 as a member of the AFL).


8 — The Chargers are 5-8, and all eight of their losses have come by seven or fewer points. Los Angeles has four losses by seven points, three defeats by three points and a 2-point loss in 2019.


52.5 — Danielle Hunter has 52.5 career sacks, and on Sunday became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 50 career sacks. Hunter has 12.5 sacks so far in 2019.


0.56 — Kirk Cousins has four interceptions in 2019, and is on pace for his lowest total in his five years as an NFL starter. Outside of Week 2’s game against Green Bay, Cousins has thrown two interceptions (both hit off his receiver’s hands) in 356 pass attempts. Cousins’ interception percentage in those 12 games is 0.56 percent.


154.4 — Philip Rivers posted a quarterback rating of 154.4 in Sunday’s win over Jacksonville, the highest mark in 225 career games for the Chargers quarterback. Rivers completed 16 of 22 passes for 314 yards and three scores.


500-plus — Los Angeles has a whopping four players with at least 500 receiving yards and is the only team in the NFL to have four players at that mark. Keenan Allen has a team-high 947 yards, while Mike Williams has 841 yards. Austin Ekeler has 830 yards as a running back, and tight end Hunter Henry has 536 yards.


4 — The Chargers defense ranks fourth in total defense (304.8 yards per game) and in pass defense (196.6) yards per game. Los Angeles’ offense also ranks fourth in the NFL at 6.06 yards per play.


5 — Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer is 5-2 in his career against the AFC West. Minnesota went 3-1 against the division back in 2015, and would have the same record against the AFC West with a win Sunday. The Vikings beat the Broncos and Raiders at home in 2019, but lost on a last-second field goal to the Chiefs.


22 — Harrison Smith recorded the 22nd interception of his career Sunday against the Lions. The Vikings safety (who wears No. 22) is now tied for seventh in franchise history with Orlando Thomas and John Turner.


20 — The Vikings are a victory away from 10 wins, which would mark the 20th time in franchise history of getting to double-digit wins in the regular season.