Thursday Night Football tonight: Vikings vs. Chargers kickoff time, how to watch, key injuries, and smart bets for Week 8

Week 8 opens under the lights in Inglewood as the Minnesota Vikings visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT; 1:15 a.m. BST) at SoFi Stadium, streaming exclusively on Prime Video. It’s a short-week stress test for two teams hovering around .500, with playoff math nudging every late-October snap.

How to watch Thursday Night Football tonight

• Matchup: Vikings at Chargers

• Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT; 1:15 a.m. BST)

• TV/Stream (U.S.): Prime Video (local-market simulcasts may apply)

• Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA

What this game means for both sides

The Chargers aim to steady a month of uneven performances by leaning on quarterback efficiency and a pass rush that flashes in spurts. The Vikings, meanwhile, have toggled between tempo and ball control while integrating returning pieces on offense. With conference tiebreakers looming, the winner exits with momentum and a cleaner path through November; the loser faces a steeper climb in a crowded wild-card race.

Quarterback lens: Justin Herbert vs. Minnesota’s disguises

Justin Herbert enters with top-10 yardage and a tidy touchdown-to-interception split, thriving in quick-game structures that keep him upright behind a shuffling line. Minnesota’s defense has leaned into simulated pressure and post-snap rotation—looks designed to bait quick throws short of the sticks and steal a takeaway or two. If the Chargers’ tackles survive early, the intermediate dig-and-over menu opens and explosive plays follow.

Vikings’ offensive plan: play-action, spacing, and red-zone fixes

Minnesota’s best sequences come from under-center play-action and rhythm throws that free the middle of the field. The question is red-zone translation: drives have been productive between the 20s, but touchdowns—not field goals—decide short-week coin flips. Expect heavy involvement for the slot and tight ends on pivot/choice concepts, with the run game testing interior gaps early to slow down edge pressure.

Stars and matchups to watch

• Justin Jefferson (MIN): Target magnet on early downs and in two-minute. If the Chargers rotate to single-high, the deep outs and posts become high-leverage shots.

• Quentin Johnston (LAC): Red-zone usage has climbed, and he’s seeing more in-breakers off play-action. A single missed tackle can flip field position.

• Edge pressure vs. blitz pickup: Los Angeles has mixed chips and slides to protect the edges. Minnesota’s backs must nail their IDs; one free rusher can tilt a series.

Key injuries and status notes

• Minnesota: Skill-position health has trended up, but snap counts may be managed on a short week. Watch the first two series for rotation clues at running back and slot.

• Los Angeles: Offensive-line shuffles have dictated a faster ball-out time the past two weeks; any late scratches here materially change the script.

(Team status is fluid on game day; inactives finalize 90 minutes before kickoff.)

Numbers that shape the night

• Third down: Both teams hover around league average; the defense that forces longer third downs wins the snap-count battle.

• Explosives allowed: The Chargers’ defense tightens in the red area but has yielded chunk gains; Minnesota’s offense needs two or three explosives to clear 24 points.

• Turnovers: Short-week games are turnover-sensitive. A minus-1 often decides it.

Prediction: Chargers 24, Vikings 23

The slightest edge goes to the home team’s quarterback in late-down, late-game moments—especially if protection holds just long enough to hit intermediate windows. Minnesota’s upset path is clear: limit explosives, win hidden yards on special teams, and convert red-zone trips at a 60% touchdown clip. If either side blinks on ball security, the score flips.

Player props and angles (context, not advice)

• Justin Herbert over completions: Quick-game emphasis plus tempo usually feeds volume.

• Justin Jefferson longest reception over: One schemed shot or scramble drill can clear typical lines.

• Anytime TD dart: Quentin Johnston, given his red-zone route tree and recent usage.

Quick reference: Tonight at a glance

• Who: Vikings at Chargers

• When: 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 PT; 1:15 BST)

• Where: SoFi Stadium

• Watch: Prime Video

• Line vibe: Home side by a field goal range; total in the mid-40s

Thursday night favors the cleaner offense and the steadier protection plan. If Los Angeles keeps Herbert on schedule, they squeak it out. If Minnesota steals a possession and finds one deep shot to Jefferson, it’s anyone’s game at the horn.