NFL Odds Week 3: Chargers vs Vikings Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Week 3 of NFL action directs our attention back to the betting odds as the regular season steadily gains momentum. The Chargers and Vikings each seek their first win of the season at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, September 24 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

Here's everything you need to know about the NFL odds for Week 3 Chargers vs. Vikings: the opening lines, spreads, betting trends and more. Check back regularly for updates.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Minnesota Vikings Odds

• Opening point spread: Chargers -2
• Opening moneyline: Chargers -110/Vikings -110
• Opening total: Over/Under 49.5 points scored
• Time: 1 p.m. ET Sunday (FOX)

UPDATE 10:15 A.M. ET SUNDAY: Under three hours from kickoff, the Vikings are -1 (-105) at BetMGM. This line jumped the fence a couple times, opening Chargers -1.5 (-105), going to Vikes -1 Thursday, then to Chargers -1 (-105) this morning.

It's two-way spread play at BetMGM, with 54% of tickets on the Vikes/52% of money on the Chargers.

The total opened at 51.5 and peaked this morning at 54.5. It's currently 54, with tickets 3/1 and money 2/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 5 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: TwinSpires opened at Los Angeles -1 and is now at pick 'em. Minnesota is netting 58% of early bets/62% of early money.

The total is out to 54 from a 51.5 opener, with 59% of bets/78% of money on the Over.

"Sharp play on Over 51.5/52," Lucas said.

UPDATE 9:30 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Minnesota made the playoffs last season, but is already behind the 8-ball after an 0-2 SU start (0-1-1 ATS). In the Week 2 Thursday nighter, the Vikings rallied from a 27-7 third-quarter deficit at Philadelphia, but lost 34-28 to push as 6-point underdogs.

Los Angeles (0-2 SU and ATS) is also seeking its first win of the season. The Chargers, 2.5-point favorites at Tennessee, tied the game at 24 on a final-seconds field goal. But L.A. lost in overtime 27-24.

"We've taken a couple smaller bets on the Vikings so far and are down a half-point to Chargers -1.5," Degnon said. "I think the action will balance out more as the week goes on. We are actually up 2 points on the total, to 51.5. We took some sharp action on Over 49.5, and I think the public will be on the Over here, too, with two good offenses battling it out."

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Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full NFL Odds Week 3 Report containing spreads, lines, and trends for every NFL matchup.

Chargers vs Vikings Best Bets

Chargers vs Vikings Pick, Prediction

Action Network NFL betting expert Brandon Anderson offers this prediction:

This is the one Double Kitchen Sink game on the schedule, so those trends won't help us here. This one shapes up as a Loser Leaves Town match with both teams playing for their lives.

When two winless teams play, the underdog is 70-37-4 ATS (65%).

If you genuinely trust either one of these teams with the game on the line late enough to want a side here, I'm honestly not sure which teams you've been watching.

So much for refocusing on that run game, eh? Minnesota has been the pass-heaviest team in the league in neutral situations, and Cam Akers or not, there's little reason for that to change here. The Chargers rank dead last in Defensive DVOA, both overall and against the pass, and J.C. Jackson has been abysmal. Justin Jefferson should eat this secondary alive.

Cousins had 344 and 364 yards the first two games, with 44 pass attempts in each. Let's keep the good times rolling, and you can play a little escalator at FanDuel, too: +210 for 325+ yards and +390 for 350.

Pick: Kirk Cousins Over 299.5 Passing Yards (+112)

For more NFL Week 3 picks, check out Action Network's NFL Week 3: How to Bet Every Game & Every Team.

The One Stat to Know About Chargers vs Vikings

Action Network NFL researcher Evan Abrams offers his top betting stat:

Justin Herbert is 15-11 ATS on the road, and only 12-13-1 ATS at home in his career. The Chargers have finished .500 ATS or better on the road in 11 consecutive seasons.

For more NFL Week 3 picks, check out Action Network's NFL Week 3 Betting Trends, Stats, Notes.

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

• Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1500 to unlock BetMGM’s welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
• Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
• Check out the North Carolina Sportsbooks just before they launch legal online sports betting.

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson