6 biggest takeaways from the Vikings loss to the Chargers in Week 3
By Adam Carlson
Vikings takeaway No. 1
Minnesota isn't giving up on running the football.
After averaging only 13 rushing attempts and 34.5 yards on the ground through the first two weeks, the Minnesota Vikings came out against the Chargers and seemed determined to prove the team is capable of running the football this season.
Minnesota ran the ball 24 times against the Chargers, gaining 130 yards. This is fresh off the Vikings trading for former Rams running back Cam Akers and signing former Broncos offensive lineman Dalton Risener.
Although neither of the new arrivals saw action in Sunday's same, the message to the team was clear. In order to have an effective play-action attack and more balanced strategy, the Vikings would need to figure out how to move the ball on the ground.
Alexander Mattison had 93 yards on 20 carries, giving him an average of 4.7 yards per rushing attempt. This is an encouraging sign for the future of the Minnesota Vikings offense's ability to keep their opponents guessing defensively.