The Minnesota Vikings jumped out to a 6-0 start before stumbling in the Metrodome the past two games. Last week they followed up a loss to the Giants, in which they were pounded for 375 yards in the air, with a 30-27 loss to division rival Green Bay, which racked up 261 yards on the ground.

The Vikings look to regain control of what looks like a playoff season on the road where they are 3-0 and have won five straight dating back to last season. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper is glad to get away from home after dropping two games there.

"I think it is good that we have the chance to go on the road now," he said. "Get on the road and go out and look at it like a business trip."

Offense hasn't been the Vikings problem in the last two games. Minnesota is fifth in scoring at 27.9 points a game and leads the NFL with an average 6.1 yards per play.

Starting running back Michael Bennett made his season debut last week and picked up 43 yards on eight carries. Mike Tice said the Vikings had their best game of the season running the football in Week 9 and they should have similar success against the Chargers even if left tackle Bryant McKinnie cannot play because of a sprained ankle. The Chargers are 25th in the NFL against the run, allowing 128.8 yards per contest.

"We have to run the ball efficiently and that will give us some more one on one situations down the field and also probably give me some lanes to run when I do drop back and pass," Tice said.

Minnesota is sixth in rushing and Culpepper has scrambled for 149 yards and three touchdowns.

The Chargers cannot stack eight men in the box against Culpepper to stop the run often because their young secondary will get burned by Randy Moss. Charger corners Quentin Jammer and Sammy Davis are fast and have played better as the season has gone on, but neither is equipped to cover Moss for long periods of time at this stage in their development.

Moss leads all receivers with 16 receptions of at least 20 yards through eight games. The Vikings won't be shy about looking for him against a defense that is 24th against the pass and has picked off only six passes this season.

FACING FLUTIE WON'T BE A BREES

The Vikings are improved defensively, but there are still holes that can be attacked, as shown by the Giants and Packers. They are 20th against the run and 28th against the pass. The big difference this season for George O'Leary's defense has been turnovers. While the Minnesota defense allows 237.2 yards a game passing, it has also intercepted 18 passes, tied for first with Kansas City. The Vikings are plus-7 in the turnover department, while the Chargers are minus-5.

Tice sees similarities in both Doug Flutie, who will get his first start of the season on Sunday, and Drew Brees, but said controlling All-Pro RB LaDainian Tomlinson is the ultimate key for the Vikings.

"[Flutie] gets the ball out of his hands a little quicker," Tice said in comparing Flutie to Brees. "He still moves pretty good. He's not a tall guy either so they have to get him outside, out of the pocket. We do have a tall defensive front so that will bode well for us, whichever quarterback's in there. But we have to stop the run. If we can't stop the run then we won't beat them."

UP NEXT: The Vikes visit the Oakland Raiders in Week 11.