Bad quickly went to worse for the Vikings on Thursday Night Football.

The offense struggled to move the football, the defense failed to get off the field, and special teams was flagged on each of its first two kick returns and had a misfire on the final play of the first half.

Add it all up, and Minnesota trailed the Los Angeles Chargers by 18 points at halftime in an eventual 37-10 loss.

"Nothing much to say. We got outplayed. We got outcoached. … There are no excuses. Injuries, short week, whatever it is, that is not in any way, shape or form, our standard of what we want to put on the field," Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said. "As I told our team, we've got an opportunity in front of us where we need to own this. This is not a bury-the-tape kind of time for our organization. This is a watch it, view it, own it, every coach, every player, and it starts with me. I did not have our team prepared to play."

Oh, and left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who had started at left tackle despite the short rest, and Josh Oliver left the game in the second quarter with knee and foot injuries.

O'Connell commended Darrisaw for trying to give it a go on short rest "after such a catastrophic, significant knee injury a year ago." He said an X-ray of Oliver's right foot was negative but the tight end will undergo an MRI.

Backup quarterback Carson Wentz, who has been dealing with a left shoulder injury since Week 5, was shown by Prime Video cameras wincing after multiple hits.

O'Connell said he kept checking in with Minnesota's athletic training staff and Wentz. Each time the tough QB said he wanted to keep going.

Eventually Minnesota subbed for Wentz and brought in undrafted rookie free agent Max Brosmer for some late mop-up duty.

Asked what the teams plans are at the position for Week 9 at Detroit, O'Connell said Minnesota will start J.J. McCarthy if the second-year pro is healthy enough to play. McCarthy hasn't played since Week 2 when he suffered a high-ankle sprain.

The disastrous first half — the Vikings ran 24 plays, and the Chargers earned 18 first downs — proved to be too much for Minnesota to overcome.

The Vikings were just 2-for-7 on third-down conversions in the first half. Chargers receiver (and perpetual Minnesota nemesis) Keenan Allen twice moved the chains on four targets, including a third-and-13 the first time the Vikings had a chance to get off the field.

That clutch catch followed what was initially ruled an interception returned 17 yards for a touchdown by Isaiah Rodgers.

A replay review showed the ball wasn't cleanly fielded as Rodgers went to the turf. Ironically it was the second consecutive touchdown (as initially ruled) by the Vikings that was taken off the board.

With the second chance, L.A. converted four third downs on its opening drive, including with a third-and-goal touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II.

The Vikings went three-and-punt immediately, and the Chargers bookended with another touchdown drive finished with a 3-yard rush by Kimani Vidal with 13:08 remaining in the second quarter.

Minnesota responded with a 54-yard field goal by Will Reichard after failing to advance past the L.A. 35.

Minnesota's defense forced a missed field goal, but committed a holding penalty on its next offensive play. Wentz completed a 15-yard pass on second-and-17, but an attempt on third down that targeted Adam Thielen was batted by blitzing cornerback Tarheeb Still, stalling the drive at the Minnesota 47.

A punt and penalty put the ball at the L.A. 6, and the Chargers put together a 94-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 27-yard pass from Herbert to Ladd McConkey with just 45 seconds remaining in the second half.

The Vikings got a shot at a 53-yard field goal, but Reichard hit just behind the ball with his foot, and it fell just short of the crossbar, keeping it at 21-3.

1. Run-game discrepancies

The big deficit prompted Minnesota to try a bevy of passes in the second half, but there was a discrepancy in the run game prior to the game going that direction.

Instead of opting for a run of third-and-1 on its opening drive — a point of emphasis with offseason signings — the Vikings opted for a pass and allowed pressure to affect the play on which Jefferson lined up in the backfield.

L.A., however, opted for a run on its second third down of the game — third-and-2 — and picked it up with Jaret Patterson, who was elevated from the practice squad.

Then, there was the third-and-2 pass attempt to Thielen that was batted.

All this happened on a night when Aaron Jones, Sr., returned to the lineup for the first time since Week 2.

Minnesota finished the first half with five rush attempts for 10 yards.

Herbert finished the first half with five rush attempts for 51 yards, helping L.A. total 82 yards on 18 carries in the first half.

Minnesota finished the game with 34 net rushing yards, compared to 207 by L.A.

2. Third downs and time of possession

The Vikings went 3-for-11 on third down, compared to a 9-for-13 showing by the Chargers.

Herbert's mobility and playmaking enabled him to escape the grasp of defenders and find teammates breaking free from coverage.

It led to a time of possession advantage of 39:04 to 20:56 and multiple frustrations of not getting off the field, a terrible recipe for a road team on a short week.

Los Angeles finished with 419 yards, compared to 164 for Minnesota.

3. Injuries mount

Already without Brian O'Neill on short rest and having Blake Brandel make his third start at center, the Vikings opened the game with Justin Skule at right tackle in place of O'Neill but moved him to the left side when Darrisaw left the game.

Jonathan Greenard made several splash plays on defense, but eventually left the game in the second half after being checked out on the field. Greenard recorded six tackles, a sack, two QB hits and three tackles for loss.

O'Connell said Greenard's injury was to his right ankle, and it will be evaluated tomorrow.

Cornerback Jeff Okudah left the game in concussion protocol.

The Vikings (3-4) are scheduled to return to action by visiting the Lions on Nov. 2.

4. Jalen Redmond tip helps takeaway drought end

The Vikings had not recorded a takeaway in Week 4, Week 5 or Week 7 (after the Week 6 bye) but finally got their hands on one and kept it Thursday. It was the first in more than a month, since nabbing five takeaways on Sept. 21.

Joshua Metellus corralled a ball at the L.A. 26 that fluttered after it was tipped by Jalen Redmond.

Redmond was disruptive at multiple points in the game.

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