Vikings vs. Chargers Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Thursday Night - Justin Jefferson, Jordan Mason, Jordan Addison, Justin Herbert, Ladd McConkey, Kimani Vidal, Quentin Johnston

October 22, 2025

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em lineups advice for Vikings vs. Chargers on Thursday Night Football in Week 8 (2025). NFL matchups analysis and TNF starts/sits.

Just when you thought Thursday Night Football was going to disappoint, they bring you Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco last week, who combined for 81 years and 64 points in a turn back the clock kind of night. Can Justin Herbert and Carson Wentz bring some of that offensive magic to this Week 8 Thursday night game? There are plenty of fantasy assets on both sides, but injuries might tell the tale of this game.

Question marks remain at the running back position for both teams. Will Aaron Jones Sr. return for the Vikings? Who will back up Kimani Vidal after the Chargers lost a third running back to an injury? Can Quentin Johnston find his hands again after he clearly misplaced them after the first four weeks of the season?

I will bring you Thursday Night Football analysis all season, focusing on who to start, who is on the fence, and who should be benched. Let's dive into this Week 8 Thursday night matchup for the 2025 season. You can also check out our main Week 8 start 'em, sit 'em matchups article for all other games. Good luck in your fantasy football week, RotoBallers!

Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles Chargers

Thursday, October 23, 8:15 PM ET

Notable Injuries:

• J.J. McCarthy (QB, Vikings) - Questionable - Ankle
• Aaron Jones Sr. (RB, Vikings) - IR/Questionable - Hamstring
• Zavier Scott (RB, Vikings) - Questionable - Wrist
• Hassan Haskins (RB, Chargers) - Doubtful - Hamstring

Vikings vs. Chargers Matchup Breakdown

Did you realize that Herbert, not Patrick Mahomes or Dak Prescott, leads the NFL in passing yards? He is also sixth in passing touchdowns (13) and has a 68% completion percentage this season. Those are the good numbers, and now for the bad ones. Herbert has thrown the fourth-most interceptions and taken the fifth-most sacks. When he gets a defense on the other side that forces pressure, he tends to wilt under the pressure.

real old school pic.twitter.com/6ytRAianL3

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 21, 2025

The Minnesota defensive pressure will determine the outcome of this game. They rank third in sack percentage and eighth in sacks per game. If they can get to Herbert all night, this will be a bad outcome for the Chargers. But if the Chargers can maintain a clean pocket, we saw what Jalen Hurts was able to do to Minnesota last week, throwing for 326 yards, three touchdowns, and a perfect passer rating. Stud linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel is questionable for this game with a neck injury, and his presence would be vital for Minnesota.

The Vikings will roll Wentz out there again as J.J. McCarthy is not quite ready to return from injury. Wentz is known for a high-risk, high-reward passing style, which can lead to big plays but also costly turnovers, which we have seen in many games this season.

Must-Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups

Justin Jefferson (WR, MIN)

Justin Jefferson may not be scoring touchdowns like we want this season (although his expected touchdowns are three compared to his one score), but he still has four straight games with at least five receptions and 75 receiving yards. There is no need to get cute about this.

Jordan Addison (WR, MIN)

Against Philadelphia in Week 7, Addison had his highest receptions, targets, and receiving yards total of the season. He had nine catches for 128 receiving yards on 12 targets, and did not score. This was his second 100-yard receiving game in the three games he has played this season since returning from suspension, and he has 26 targets in those games.

Jordan Addison has really broken out this year. He’s more than just a complement to Jefferson — this is becoming a true 1A and 1B receiving duo. pic.twitter.com/CXj9tIsHHD

— VNS Media (@VikingsNewsSkol) October 20, 2025

Ladd McConkey (WR, LAC)

Ladd McConkey has become a target leader for the Chargers, seeing 24 targets over the past two games. The slot receiver should have a favorable matchup against the Vikings' defense that allows plenty of yards from the slot position, and they just got gashed by the Eagles.

Kimani Vidal (RB, LAC)

Vidal might have a 90% running back snap share in this game with no true backup behind him. Minnesota allows 117.7 rushing yards per game this season, one of the bottom-12 marks in the NFL.

Possible Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups

T.J. Hockenson (TE, MIN)

Tight end is a horrible position right now, especially with six teams on bye weeks. Hockenson has back-to-back weeks with six receptions and seems to be developing quite a rapport with Wentz.

Jordan Mason (RB, MIN)

Jordan Mason has a favorable matchup against a Los Angeles Chargers run defense that ranks 29th in the NFL in rushing touchdowns allowed per game, and 18th in rushing yards allowed. Mason's snap percentage was at a season-high 77% in Week 7, and he should still play most snaps even if Jones comes back.

Return To Platoon For Jordan Mason, Vikings Backfield? https://t.co/EDdPi6FNk2

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 21, 2025

Justin Herbert (QB, LAC)

Herbert is a borderline starting quarterback option this week. He posted a massive performance against the Colts last week (420 yards, three TDs), and the Vikings' defense has struggled, allowing the third-most points in the NFL this season. They have also allowed two passing touchdowns per game in their last three contests.

Quentin Johnston (WR, LAC)

Johnston's targets have dropped significantly over the last two weeks, with McConkey eating into his volume. The Vikings' pass defense is also a difficult matchup, ranking fourth in fewest fantasy points allowed to wide receivers, but he is always a threat to catch a long touchdown.

Keenan Allen (WR, LAC)

Johnston may have seen his production drop off, but Keenan Allen keeps getting stronger and stronger. He caught 11 balls for 119 yards and a touchdown last week, and he has at least seven targets in every game this season and at least nine in three of his last five.

Oronde Gadsden II (TE, LAC)

Oronde Gadsden became a lock to be the most popular player taken on the waiver wire during this Bye-pocalypse week coming up. He was Herbert’s favorite target and finished the loss against the Colts with nine targets, seven receptions, 164 yards, and a touchdown. His 164 yards set a new rookie record for tight ends.

Consider Sitting for Fantasy Football Lineups

Aaron Jones Sr. (RB, MIN)

The Vikings have opened the 21-day practice window for Jones, but it is uncertain if he will play in Week 8. His presence could reduce Mason's workload, but I can't see Jones taking too much of the work after missing more than five straight games. He will likely have a partial workload if he suits up.

Carson Wentz (QB, MIN)

Wentz is piling up yards with the Minnesota Vikings, but the touchdowns haven't been there the last two weeks. He has one touchdown to two interceptions in the last two games, and threw some truly awful passes against the Eagles in Week 7.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell has announced that Carson Wentz will start at QB for the #Vikings Thursday. pic.twitter.com/XcI4hhl5vi

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 21, 2025

Adam Thielen (WR, MIN)

Exactly two targets and no more than 11 yards in each of his last three games. No thanks, you can find higher upside somewhere else.

Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin (TEs, LAC)

With the emergence of Gadsden, Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin have been rendered obsolete. They have a combined three targets in the last two weeks, while Gadsden has 17 targets by himself.

Kirksey’s Thursday Night Football Picks

Current Spread: LAC -3.5
Over/Under: 44.5

With a banged-up defense, the last two Los Angeles Chargers games have flown past this total number. They gave up 27 points to Miami and 38 points to Indianapolis the last two weeks, but have also scored 53 points of their own. With a strong pass rate over expectation, and the Vikings still dealing with the Wentz experience, I'll take the Chargers, the over, and the points.

Final score: Los Angeles Chargers 28, Minnesota Vikings 23

The Pick: LAC -3.5, OVER 44.5

2025 Overall Record:
Spread (4-3), Over/Under (4-3)

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