Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 21, 2025, 1 p.m. ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Network: CBS
Game at a Glance
Battle of the backups! Both teams lost their starters, albeit the Bengals for much longer. One thing will be settled this weekend, however.
Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson facing off with backup QBs this week whoever puts up bigger numbers is officially better end of conversation
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) September 16, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Jake Browning: SIT
Jake Browning was serviceable in relief of Joe Burrow in 2023, scoring multiple touchdowns in five of eight starts. He’s nowhere near an elite talent, but he’s a decent backup who gets to throw to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. I think I’ll call him Jake Brrr, it’s like Joe Brr but with 50% less ceiling and 100% lower floor
Running Back
Chase Brown: START, RB2
Samaje Perine: SIT
Tahj Brooks: SIT
Inefficiency is rearing its ugly head for Chase Brown, with ceiling capping at 2.4 yards per carry despite averaging almost 20 touches per game. As long as he continues to see the Bengals’ share of the backfield work, Brown should remain in the high-end RB2 conversation. But with the upside of the offense taking a significant hit without Burrow, Brown is in danger of becoming one of this season’s biggest busts if he loses touches to Samaje Perine or Tahj Brooks.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Marr Chase: START, WR1
Tee Higgins: START, WR2
Andrei Iosivas: SIT
You don’t sit Ja’Marr Chase even if Brucie is in at quarterback.
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Chase scored nearly 30 fantasy points with Browning under center for most of Week 2, and a man of his talents is capable of overcoming subpar quarterbacking any given week. BUT…the floor is much, much, much much much, much…
…much lower.
Chase played in six of Brownings’ seven starts in 2023 and had a promising 31.6 points in Brownings’ second start. But Chase would end up scoring fewer than 10 points in 50% those starts. Tee Higgins didn’t fare much better. While he did have two games over 20 points with Browning, he averaged 6.2 fantasy points in the three others played together. Things would have to completely implode for Chase to become unstartable, and Higgins is pretty close to the same. They still have about 70% of their ceilings, but their floors no longer exist.
Tight End
Noah Fant: SIT
Mike Gesicki: SIT
You’re not starting any pass catchers in Cincy outside of Chase and Higgins.
Defense/Special Teams
Cincinnati Bengals: SIT
The only way you’re starting the Bengals D/ST is if the other 31 are rostered.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Carson Wentz: SIT
We don’t know exactly how long J.J. McCarthy will be out, but a pretty good estimation is that it’ll be at least through the Vikings’ Week 6 bye. You aren’t considering starting him this week, but as we’ve seen with Minnesota multiple times before, Kevin O’Connell can make nearly any quarterback fantasy viable. Wentz should be rostered in most 1QB leagues and in all Superflex leagues. Jordan Addison returns from his suspension in Week 4 as well.
Running Back
Jordan Mason: START, RB2
Jordan Mason was already in the process of taking over this backfield from the ancient Aaron Jones. But Jones suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 that landed him on the IR for at least 4 weeks. Among backs with at least 15 carries, Mason ranks ninth in explosive run rate and third in missed tackles forced per attempt. There’s a very real chance Jones’ role in the offense significantly shrinks while he’s on the shelf.
Wide Receiver
Justin Jefferson: START, WR1
Jalen Nailor: SIT
Adam Thielen: SIT
Like Chase, Justin Jefferson is Brucie-proof for fantasy purposes. You’re starting him if he’s active. That’s not the case for any other Vikings pass catcher, but if Wentz plays well, Jordan Addison could remain startable as well.
Tight End
T.J. Hockenson: Startable, TE1/2 Borderline
T.J. Hockenson is trending towards droppable status, but it’s worth seeing if Wentz under center can revive his fantasy stock.
Defense/Special Teams
Minnesota Vikings: START
The Vikings defense has been mediocre, but with Browning under center, they’re startable.