Ekeler will be a problem for the Vikings defense
A lot of the headlines involving the Chargers early this season surrounded the holdout of Melvin Gordon. The Pro Bowl running back wanted to get paid back in August, but Los Angeles didn’t blink and decided to roll with Austin Ekeler instead.
While Gordon re-joined the team after Week 5, Ekeler has still had a productive season with L.A. and he could be their running back of the future.
In many ways, Ekeler has actually been the Chargers’ best running back despite Gordon passing him for the team lead in rushing yards last week. Even with Gordon producing more during the past couple of weeks, Ekeler remains involved in the passing game, which included an 84-yard touchdown against Jacksonville last week.
As Zone Coverage’s Sam Ekstrom recently pointed out, Ekeler is 12th among all skill position players in the NFL with 73 receptions on the season and he is deployed all over the field for Los Angeles. With a weapon like this, the Vikings will need to keep an eye on him and could have Eric Kendricks shadow the versatile back, who himself, ranks third in the league among linebackers in coverage snaps per reception (13.8).
There are plenty of ways the Chargers can hurt the Vikings on Sunday. But if Minnesota doesn’t keep Ekeler in check, it could be a long afternoon.