| Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-1) | |||
| Game Details: Sunday, September 21, 1 p.m EST | |||
| Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | |||
| Where to Watch: CBS |
In a tale of two cities grappling with early-season quarterback woes, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings find themselves leaning on backup quarterbacks, turning what was once a standard early-season matchup into a compelling test of depth and coaching strategy.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | +3 | +126 | Over 42.5 |
| Minnesota Vikings | -3 | -148 | Under 42.5 |
** Odds Subject to Change – Courtesy of FanDuel**
Tale of The Tape
| Cincinnati Bengals | Team Stats – Avg Per Game | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Points Per Game | 16.5 |
| 185.5 | Passing Yards Per Game | 127 |
| 47 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 99 |
| 21.5 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 23 |
| 269.5 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 153 |
| 94 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 168.5 |
Key Details
Cincinnati Bengals
For the Bengals, the story is one of grit. They sit at a surprising 2-0, but the celebration is muted by the significant loss of their franchise cornerstone, Joe Burrow. The star quarterback suffered a toe injury and has been placed on the Reserve/Injured list, leaving a massive void. In his place steps Jake Browning, who engineered a last-minute, game-winning drive against the Jaguars, proving he has the poise to lead.
Despite losing their star quarterback, they’ve found ways to win, rallying behind the backup. Browning has shown a fearless, aggressive mindset that has energized the offense. A key factor in his success is the connection with Ja’Marr Chase, who is coming off a monster performance against Jacksonville, where he hauled in 14 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown.
Star receiver Ja’Marr Chase emphasizing the team’s forward-looking mentality: “Every game is going to be a rollercoaster… Our quarterback got (knocked) down, we’ve got to (say) ‘Next man up,’ and it’s on from there.”
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are reeling from a different kind of quarterback drama. After a humbling loss to the Falcons that dropped them to 1-1, they lost their first-year starter, J.J. McCarthy, to an ankle sprain. Now, they turn to veteran Carson Wentz to right the ship and generate an offensive spark that was noticeably absent in a game where they failed to score a touchdown. It’s a classic NFL storyline: when adversity strikes, who will rise to the occasion?
Head Coach Kevin O’Connell is confident in his backup plan, praising his new starter’s readiness: “We’ll get Carson Wentz ready to go… Had a really good practice last week… I know you guys will have a ton of confidence in him.”
Prediction
Carson Wentz or Jake Browning? We are only in Week 3, and this is what QB injuries have caused? Browning proved himself last week. For 7 quarters this season, the Vikings’ offense looks terrible. There is no reason to think Wentz will revive it.
