Cincinnati Bengals @ Minnesota Vikings
Final Score: Vikings 48, Bengals 10
Writer: Pranav Babarjung
This game was hard to watch. Isaiah Rodgers simply owned the Cincinnati Bengals with two takeaways returned for touchdowns and a third just for good measure in JUST the first half. This Vikings’ front seven was an unstoppable force in the face of a very, very moveable object in the Cincinnati offensive line. Jake Browning did not have a second to breathe and faced pressure on almost every snap. A garbage time touchdown from Drew Sample saves the Bengals from finishing in the single digits, but it wasn’t enough to save this from being the worst defeat in Bengals franchise history.
Three Up
- Jordan Mason — Mason dominated on the ground with over 100 yards and the second-year back’s first multi-touchdown day.
- T.J. Hockenson — The return of Christian Darrisaw let Hockenson run more routes and do less blocking. This left him with a good fantasy day, including a touchdown in the third quarter.
- Bengals TEs — First Noah Fant, then Drew Sample (when Fant went out) combined for the most targets out of the Bengals’ pass catchers.
Three Down
- Tee Higgins — Joe Burrow‘s departure has plunged Higgins’ target share, as he ended with only two.
- Chase Brown — Brown got nothing going on the ground, with minimal usage as a receiver.
- Jake Browning — Browning was almost constantly pressured as his pocket collapsed around him nearly every play.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Jake Browning: 19/27, 140 Yards, TD, 2 INTs | 1 Carries, 3 Yards
Although a lot of Jake Browning‘s shortcomings can largely be blamed on poor offensive line play, he is not blameless. Bad decisions led to two interceptions, both in Vikings territory. Browning rarely, if ever, had time to look for the best option. If he didn’t get the ball out fast, he was likely going to be sacked. This style of play caused TEs Noah Fant, Drew Sample, and Mike Gesicki to combine for 11 targets on short-yardage plays, and a low 140 total passing yards. Brett Rypien subbed in for the final drive, but just handed off the ball twice and got sacked on third down.
Running Back
Samaje Perine: 4 Carries, 21 Yards, Fumble (Lost)
With just four carries and an early exit due to a thumb injury, Samaje Perine still led the Bengals on the ground. He looked significantly more explosive than Chase Brown in the face of this Vikings defense, and even rushed for good yardage on the play he lost the fumble. The fumble did stop any hope of the Bengals gaining momentum.
Chase Brown: 10 Carries, 3 Yards | 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 17 Yards
Chase Brown was not able to get anything going on the ground. He did and will continue to get the majority of touches in this backfield, however inefficient they may be. This offensive line hinders the performance of the entire offense, but especially the running backs.
Tahj Brooks: 5 Carries, 17 Yards
Tahj Brooks got the first carries of his career when the game was already lost. He was still more efficient than Brown.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ja’Marr Chase: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 50 Yards, Fumble (Lost) | 1 Carry, 9 Yards
Ja’Marr Chase led the team in targets, and hauled in the biggest play with a 28-yard reception. A 16-yard reception was called back due to penalty. The only chance this team had of moving the chains was to hyper target Chase.
Noah Fant: 5 Targets, 5 Receptions, 26 Yards, Fumble (Lost)
Noah Fant left the game early due to illness, but was on track to be Browning’s favorite target. He caught all five of his targets on short slant routes. Similar to Chase, he lost a fumble that was punched out by an elite day from Isaiah Rodgers and returned for a touchdown.
Drew Sample: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards, TD
Drew Sample took over from Fant late in the third quarter, and hauled in a garbage-time TD early in the fourth quarter.
Tee Higgins: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 15 Yards
Tee Higgins had a bad day. His target share has plummeted since Joe Burrow went down. He had a chance to salvage his day with an end-zone target that ended up being called back due to defensive pass interference. This penalty did set up the Bengals’ only touchdown of the day, however.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Carson Wentz: 14/20, 173 Yards, 2 TDs | 2 Carries, 4 Yards
Carson Wentz took over for JJ McCarthy with the confidence expected of a league veteran. He led the Vikings all the way down the field on their first drive, ending with a touchdown to TE Josh Oliver. He made good plays on key third downs to keep the chains moving, and threw a second TD pass when the game was clearly decided in the third quarter before sitting on the bench for the rest. When the defense was this commanding, there was simply not much Wentz had to do.
Running Back
Jordan Mason: 16 Carries, 116 Yards, 2 TDs
The Bengals could not stop this man. Although he didn’t see any receiving work, Jordan Mason still had a dominant day on the ground. He sat on the bench after scoring his second TD of the day.
Zavier Scott: 8 Carries, 30 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 20 Yards
Zavier Scott took over for Mason in the third quarter, splitting carries with Cam Akers in garbage time. This Bengals defense made Scott look explosive as well.
Cam Akers: 5 Carries, 19 Yards | 1 Target, 0 Receptions
The latest signing this Minnesota backfield was surprisingly efficient on his few garbage-time carries.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Justin Jefferson: 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 75 Yards
There wasn’t much Justin Jefferson needed to do today. He still had a huge 36 yard reception the immediate play following Chase’s fumble, and led Vikings pass catchers in targets. Wentz may be better for Jefferson’s fantasy value, but a defense made of paper isn’t the best situation to draw such conclusions.
T.J. Hockenson: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 49 Yards, TD
T.J. Hockenson had by far his best outing of the season so far. Without the need to pass block as much, he was free to run more routes, resulting in season-high yards and a touchdown.
Jalen Nailor: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 37 Yards
Although Jalen Nailor ran more routes, he ended with less targets than Hockenson. At the end of the second quarter, he missed his chance at a 17-yard touchdown. With Jordan Addison returning next week, his target share should decrease.
Josh Oliver: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 12 Yards, TD
Josh Oliver‘s only target was successful, and came at the end of the first drive of the game. He was not targeted for the rest of the day.