Los Angeles Chargers vs Minnesota Vikings Same-Game Parlay: Ground and Pound
Los Angeles Chargers vs Minnesota Vikings Same-Game Parlay: Ground and Pound
The Los Angeles Chargers are hosting the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in a matchup between two teams that always seem to find themselves in close games.
For this Week 10 matchup, I’ll be jumping into a three-leg parlay focused on the star running backs from each squad.
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Leg 1: Dalvin Cook Over 104.5 Rushing Yards
Dalvin Cook is one of the most talented running backs in the NFL, and I’m expecting his ability to be on full display in Week 10. Cook has played in six games this season but missed the majority of Week 4’s contest against the Browns due to injury. If we exclude the game where Cook was hobbled and not even on the field much, he has been among the league’s best in the other five.
Cook is averaging 104 yards per game on the ground and has finished with at least 110 in three of his five full games. This follows up a wildly impressive 2020 campaign where Cook hit the century mark in 8 of his 13 full games. His 111.2 YPG on the ground ranked second only to Derrick Henry.
Cook and the Vikings are lucky enough to draw the Chargers this week, easily the NFL’s weakest run defense. Los Angeles ranks last in expected points contributed by rush defense, YPC allowed, and total rushing yards allowed. LA is allowing 161.6 rushing yards per week while there isn’t another team giving up more than 137. The Vikes RB is no stranger to torching bad run defenses either. Dalvin played eight below-average run defenses in 2020 and finished with at least 115 rushing yards in six of these eight games. Look for more of the same for the Minnesota star when he faces the NFL’s worst unit against the run.
Leg 2: Kirk Cousins Under 329.5 Passing Yards
In addition to allowing the most rushing yards per game, the Chargers also allow the 3rd fewest passing yards per game. Los Angeles has allowed over 240 yards through the air just twice in eight games and is yet to allow over 305 passing yards in a single game. Their 197 passing yards allowed per game ranks behind only the Bills and Panthers. Opponents throw just 29.6 times per game vs. Los Angeles, which also ranks in the bottom three of the league.
Cousins is averaging 267.5 passing yards per game, which isn’t a lackluster number in the slightest. But, he’s only cleared the 330-yard mark twice this season after doing it just twice in 16 games all last season. I strongly believe that Coach Mike Zimmer will rely on Minnesota’s rushing attack this week, as he’s been frequently known to do in years past. The cakewalk of a matchup for Dalvin and brutal matchup for Cousins only reaffirm my confidence there.
Leg 3: Austin Ekeler Over 44.5 Rushing Yards
The Chargers aren’t the only team entering this game with a defense that struggles to stop the run. The Vikings have given up the 3rd most rushing yards per game and rank as the 2nd worst run defense by expected points. Minnesota has allowed a 45-yard rusher in every single game and has allowed 13 different players to rush for at least 45 yards in just eight games.
Meanwhile, Ekeler has at least 45 yards on the ground in seven of his eight games this season. He has taken over the Chargers backfield more than ever before, accounting for 51/68 (75%) of LA’s running back carries over the last four games. Ekeler should be in for another 15 or so carries this week and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him surpass his 2021 average of 59.9 rushing yards per game against an awful Vikings defense.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Minnesota Vikings Pick
3-Leg Same Game Parlay (+450): Risk $100 to win $450
● Dalvin Cook Over 104.5 Rushing Yards
● Kirk Cousins Under 329.5 Passing Yards
● Austin Ekeler Over 44.5 Rushing Yards