Well, we are all happy, right?
The Cincinnati Bengals finally started off the season 0-2 in the Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor era. Surely nothing will ruin that storyline.
Okay, so this will be Jake Browning’s first start of the season in place of the injured Burrow, who had surgery on his toe following last week’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. They aren’t alone in starting a backup, though; the Minnesota Vikings will have Carson Wentz under center to welcome the Bengals to town.
Cincinnati has been led by its defense this season. Not in the way that they have been overly dominant statistically. They have been able to get turnovers and timely stops to keep the team in the game, unlike last season. To Browning’s credit, even though last week was a bit of a roller coaster with two passing touchdowns and three interceptions, it was ultimately a drive he took from inside the Bengals’ 10-yard line that resulted in him diving over the offensive line for a touchdown that won the game. If he can cut down on those interceptions with a week of practice to work on timing, it could lead to a 3-0 start.
The Vikings had an incredible comeback to start the season, where J.J. McCarthy scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to defeat the Chicago Bears. Then they lost 22-6 to the Falcons in a game where they took a real beating. That beating will cost them McCarthy this week, at least. They will also be without starting running back Aaron Jones. They still have the second-best wide receiver in the NFL in Justin Jefferson, who will be the first serious test for these defensive backs who haven’t seen a true wide receiver one yet this season.
Can the Bengals keep building up a cushion for Burrow’s hopeful return?
Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings
- Date/Time: Sep. 21st, 2025 at 1:00 pm ET
- Location: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN
- Series Leader: Cincinnati leads the series, but it has been a relatively even affair, as the Bengals own only a one-game edge, 8-7. The series has been dominated by the home teams, with the Bengals holding an 8-1 lead in Cincinnati, and the Vikings holding a 6-0 advantage in Minnesota. The Bengals have won the two most recent meetings — both in Cincinnati, in 2021 and ’23 — as well as four of the last six matchups.
- TV Channel: The game will air on CBS-TV. In the Bengals’ home region,
- it will be carried by WKRC-TV (Ch. 12) in Cincinnati, WHIO-TV (Ch. 7) in Dayton
- and WKYT-TV (Ch. 27) in Lexington.
- Broadcasters: Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (analyst) and Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter
- Online Stream: Paramount+
- Replay: NFL+ and NFL Network (check local listings)
- Radio Broadcast: The game will air on the Bengals Radio Network, led by Cincinnati
- flagship radio stations WCKY-AM (1530) and WEBN-FM (102.7). Broadcasters
- are Dan Hoard (play-by-play) and Dave Lapham (analyst).
- SB Nation Vikings’ site: Daily Norseman
- Rosters: CIN | MIN
- Stats to Know: CIN | MIN
- Weather: According to NFL Weather, there will be thunderstorms in the low-70s. However, U.S. Bank Stadium is a covered stadium.
- Odds: The Bengals are currently 3-point underdogs, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Expert Predictions:
- CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco predicts a 27-17 loss for the Bengals.
- Four of ESPN’s six experts (at the time of writing) are taking the Vikings
- According to NFL Pick Watch, which takes into account picks from across the web, the Bengals are receiving 25% of the picks
- Cincy Jungle Prediction: Okay so Jake Browning against Carson Wentz isn’t ideal for either team. However, the Cincinnati defense has been very opportunistic these first two games, and Wentz has known to have a few plays that end up losing games. It comes down to Wentz making one too many mistakes, and Browning playing a bit smarter than last week: Bengals 30 Vikings 23
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