Minnesota Vikings: 5 reasons Chargers will be tough to beat
By Dan Zinski
Sep 20, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
3. Melvin Gordon gives them a legit running game
Minnesota football fans know all about Melvin Gordon, who used to run roughshod over the Gophers and the rest of the Big 10 as a member of the Badgers.
Gordon was a somewhat controversial pick as a first rounder but the early results suggest that the Chargers have found themselves a legit running back.
Gordon got out of the gate slowly in week 1, rushing for only 51 yards on 14 attempts, but he was solid in week 2 with 88 yards on 16 carries for an average of 5.5 yards-per-carry.
Unlike past Badgers running backs, Gordon is not merely a glorified fullback who runs hard in a straight line but does little else. He has great acceleration and shifty moves and can make things happen if he gets in the open field.
The Vikings did not look good against San Francisco’s power running game in week 1, but they did bounce back in week 2 by stifling Detroit’s frankly pitiful attempt at putting together a rushing attack.
San Diego is not necessarily going to blow the Vikings off the line the way San Francisco did, but Minnesota still needs to keep disciplined and stay in their running lanes to avoid giving up big plays to Gordon.