But when most of us went to bed Saturday night, there was a lot of doubt surrounding whether or not Wentz’ blindside would be protected by Christian Darrisaw, who did not sound confident about making his 2025 debut earlier in the week, following season-ending surgery after week 8 of 2024.

Thankfully, Darrisaw did suit up, as did Harrison Smith and Andrew Van Ginkel, on the defensive side. And without a doubt the impact of all three were felt immediately, as the Minnesota Vikings jumped out to a 31-point lead over a wounded Bengals squad playing without star QB Joe Burrow.

Key Takeaways: Minnesota Vikings DOMINATE Cincinnati Bengals

When the dust settled at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings held a 48-10 lead on the scoreboard and many of the concerns that fans/media had coming in, were wiped away with the blowout victory.

Wentz made the Vikings offense look like a well-oiled machine, compared to what we saw with McCarthy, and Darrisaw’s talent was on display too, especially in the run game.

But the MN Vikings second victory of the season came on the back of Minnesota’s defense, which scored two touchdowns and forced FIVE total Cincinnati turnovers. So as we layout the biggest Vikings takeaways from Sunday’s game, come on that side of the football.

1.) MN Vikings defense throws out “bend but don’t break”

With a new quarterback taking over and the season prematurely teetering on the verge of a spiral, head coach Kevin O’Connell needed a big week out of his right-hand man and defensive coordinator, Brian Flores.

The defense responded to their week 3 challenge, in kind, with arguably the most dominant performance of Flores’ two-plus year tenure, holding the Bengals offense to just three points through the first half, before they added a touchdown in garbage time.

CRIBBED.@rodgers_isaiah

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/VRusxti1cT

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 21, 2025

Even better, the biggest contributor on the defensive side came in the form of Isaiah Rodgers, who was handpicked as a the defensive coordinator this offseason, but who had yet to cement himself as a legitimate NFL starter.

All offseason long, there have been heavy questions surrounding the Minnesota Vikings secondary. Harrison Smith isn’t getting any younger, not to mention they let S Cam Bynum, CB Stephon Gilmore and CB Shaq Griffin all walk this offseason, leaving Rodgers as their CB2.

But on Sunday, Flores and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah were very much vindicated when Rodgers returned both an interception (above) and fumble (below) to the house for two defensive Minnesota Vikings touchdowns.

The Vikings defense is going CRAZY 😳
Another fumble scoop and score, 2nd defensive TD of the game 💜🔥#Vikings #NFL #Skol pic.twitter.com/Lzy7IQnAmN

— Aggregate Sports (@AggregateSports) September 21, 2025

Through the first two weeks of the season, the Minnesota Vikings offense deployed a bend but don’t break style that put a lot of stress on them, there offense and the those of us watching the games.

On Sunday, that was out the window and replaced by sheer dominance from the opening whistle until the final buzzer. To go along with their five forced turnovers, Brian Flores’ defense held the Bengals to just 118 yards passing and 53 yards rushing and 171 yards in total and 3-of-13 on 3rd down.

2.) Carson Wentz’ veteran presence was all the Vikings offense needed

It helps when your defense is completely dominant, like the Vikings’ was in week 3. But it was Carson Wentz who lit off the initial fireworks this afternoon.

In his first drive ever as a Viking, Wentz methodically drove Minnesota’s offense down the field, where he capped things off with a touchdown pass to Josh Oliver, to make the game 7-0, purple.

CARSON WENTZ TOUCHDOWN!!!!

📺: #CINvsMIN ao vivo no NFL Game Pass pic.twitter.com/gDDvIYzyjY

— NFL Brasil (@NFLBrasil) September 21, 2025

That early score allowed the 70,000 at U.S. Bank Stadium and millions watching on TV cheer a loud sigh of relief. And from that moment on, the route was on. Wentz went on to complete 14-of-20 passes for 173 yards, 2 touchdowns and a 129.8 QB Rating.

Carson Wentz did on Sunday exactly what the Minnesota Vikings needed from him, and from JJ McCarthy prior to injury, and that’s a game manager. This team was built around a stout defense, uber-talented playmakers, a bulldozing run game and elite play-caller. The QBs job is to drive that Lamborghini in between the lines.

We quickly found out that McCarthy was not yet ready for that responsibility. In week three, Wentz proved he is more than capable. What that means, going forward, we do not know. But for now, Minnesota’s offense looks like it is in pretty good hands with the 32-year-old North Dakota State alum and lifelong Vikings fan.

3.) The Minnesota Vikings need to FEED Jordan Mason (w/Darrisaw back)

Much like the responsibility put on the Minnesota Vikings’ defense this week, newly acquired running back Jordan Mason came in knowing he’d be tasked with shouldering a rushing workload unlike he has seen very often throughout his four-year NFL career.

Just like Brian Flores’ crew, Mason responded with one of the best performances of his career, rushing for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 16 carries (7.3 YPC). Every time he got the football, Mason punished a Bengal defender or two before taking off for a big gain.

JORDAN MASON 4 YARD TOUCHDOWN RUN #skol pic.twitter.com/C0ffiUiTaB

— Jack Delperdang (@jack_delperdang) September 21, 2025

At no time on Sunday did the Vikings’ offense seem like it was in trouble or way behind the sticks. Wentz did a great job in his debut, but he can thank Jordan Mason for making his life easier.

It wasn’t all on Mason, however. When Kevin O’Connell realized Christian Darrisaw would start, he might have ripped out most of the plays on his sheet that had the running back going right. Repeatedly, especially in that first half, the Minnesota Vikings lined up Mason and ran him behind their all-pro caliber left tackle.

And when it ain’t broke, why fix it, right? The Vikings’ success in the run game also took superstar Cincinnati pass rusher, Trey Hendrickson out of the game. He finished with just 1 tackle on the day and ZERO sacks.

When it was over, the Vikings offense put up 424 total yards and Mullens went 26 of 33 (79%) for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns (to go along with 2 interceptions but we’ll get to those momentarily). This, just 6 days after their prior starting QB mustered just 63 yards in 3.5 quarters vs the Las Vegas Raiders in week 14.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Playoff Odds

Nick Mullens was the right choice, even in a loss

Some, like Kurt Warner, might have been surprised by how easily the Vikings offense was moving vs the Bengals. Others (like me) were not. Sure, Nick threw a couple of his patented dumb interceptions at the worst possible moments. Both were in thrown in the red zone. One was possibly the most ill-advised throw in NFL history.

This is a wild interception 😂

BJ Hill has two INTs in two weeks 😂pic.twitter.com/lXd2vnvhTP

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 16, 2023

But you can’t throw dumb red zone interceptions if you never lead your team into the red zone. Was Nick Mullens perfect on Saturday? Hell no. He isn’t going to be. We found ways to convince ourselves that Kirk Cousins was bad at quarterbacking.

Week 15 Starting Backup QB > Week 14 Starting Backup QB

You think Nick Mullens is going to impress us on a throw by throw basis? There’s a reason why Mullens is a career backup. Watching him is supposed to make you miss Kirk Cousins because Kirk is 47x the QB Nick is.

The Vikings lost today and Mullens deserves his fair share of blame. His two interceptions cost the Vikings points that probably would have put his team up three scores at one point or another during this game, pushing Cincinnati’s hopes of overtime just about out of reach.

Related: Justin Jefferson Loves His Starting Quarterback Kirk Cousins

But unlike Josh Dobbs the last few weeks, Mullens was able to move the offense up and down the field nearly every drive. Ty Chandler gave the run game a much needed pop and Mullens was beyond good enough to keep the defense honest.

Just a prayer here by Nick Mullens. One that the football gods clearly answered pic.twitter.com/RwY5zsqqvp

— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) December 16, 2023

Mullens deserves plenty of blame for Minnesota Vikings loss

Yes, his INT’s allowed the Bengals to hang around and eventually steal a game they shouldn’t have had a chance in. But the Vikings still should have won, had it not been for the defense’ sudden inability to stop the Bengals offense paired with Kevin O’Connell’s false worship of the tush push gods.

If there’s one thing we can take out of the 2023 season for sure, it’s that none of the Vikings QBs are Jalen Hurts and it’s time for KOC to give up on the tush push goal line offense.

Related: How Much Will Kirk Cousins Cost; Could Vikings Get Discount?

Had the Minnesota Vikings won on Saturday, they would have been near a lock to make the NFC playoff field. Of course, we should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.

With a handful of NFC teams sitting at 6-6 entering week 15, it’s most likely the Vikings will sit one game up on the teams trying to chase them down over the stretch run of the 2023 season.

Dalvin Cook looked like his normal self but even he had troubles finding holes to run through behind the Vikings horrendous offensive line. Kirk Cousins was his normal up and down self, looking like a top veteran passer on one play… and a nervous rookie on the next. Zim’s revamped defense was… ok.

After a slow start by both teams, the offenses did get rolling. But as mentioned, the Vikings’ o-line tried their best to hold the team back.. mostly via penalties. When the final whistle blew, Minnesota committed a total of 17 penalties, 12 of which were accepted. It cost them 116 yards throughout the course of the game but most were in the first half. Cincinnati committed three penalties for 15 yards total. Our worst OL nightmare unfolded before our eyes.

Vikings penalties:

Holding:
* Oli Udoh
* Garrett Bradbury (x2)
Rashod Hill (x2)
— this includes 2 declined

False Start
* CJ Ham (x2)
* Brian O'Neill
KJ Osborn
* Tyler Conklin

Offsides:
* Michael Pierce
— Declined

DPI:
* Bashaud Breeland

— Arif Hasan, football season enjoyer ???? (@ArifHasanNFL) September 12, 2021

Getting to overtime was a miracle in itself.

Shooting yourself in the foot that many times will eventually kill you and the Bengals should be embarrassed that it took a last second overtime field goal to stop the Vikings’ beating heart. Minnesota trailed 21-7 early in the second half but Cincinnati just kept on giving them chances.

If you want to look for a bright side from this afternoon, you can find the special teams unit. Greg Joseph will be inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor after hitting a 53-yarder to force overtime. And the day’s other star was new punter, Jordan Berry, who bombed a couple nice balls. His best was in overtime, when he kicked from his own 20 and pinned the Bengals inside of their 10 yard line. It was officially marked as a 63-yarder.

Cincinnati would give the ball back on that drive, going 3-and-out before punting. But just as the Vikings looked like they might actually steal this game… Dalvin Cook fumbled (maybe) at the Bengals’ 37, which was obviously within Greg Joseph’s range.

A psychotic 4th down conversion by Joe Brady and an easy field goal later… the game was over. Where the Minnesota Vikings go from here is anyone’s guess.

Ruled a fumble on the field but Dalvin Cook may be down pic.twitter.com/aztBJHhF2b

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) September 12, 2021

BURROW!

Pure onions on 4th down in overtime. #RuleTheJungle | @Bengals

????: #MINvsCIN on FOX
????: NFL app pic.twitter.com/xrUCpx0fQ5

— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021

EVAN ALMIGHTY!

Visit https://t.co/KpeqK4RKUm for more highlights. pic.twitter.com/OqO09pQSzZ

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 12, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Barr’s been out with what we believe is a knee injury, since August 5, but the Vikings have never given up on his week one status. That doesn’t mean his possible absence hasn’t already been discussed in-house. They probably have a better idea inside of TCO Performance Center but Chad Graff (The Athletic) believes we all might have a clearer picture of Barr’s week one status by this time tomorrow.

Nope, they list the depth chart not factoring in health for Week 1. Tomorrow will be a huge day for Anthony Barr’s status. If he practices tomorrow, I’d guess he plays Sunday. If he doesn’t, I’d guess he’s not playing Sunday. https://t.co/Vg6NdzdxeB

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) September 7, 2021

“Better on Paper” or “Paper Thin”?

The blogs and articles have been written from here to main street media. The Minnesota Vikings look like a much improved defense, on paper. They didn’t make any additions at linebacker, however. In fact, they lost Eric Wilson in free agency. If there was ever a time that this roster needed Anthony Barr the most, it’s right now.

A rather large mix of injury returnees and aging free agents have patched up Mike Zimmer’s worst-ever Vikings defense but ripping off any of those used band-aids could reveal the most infected parts of last year’s team once again. A mystery injury sidelining Anthony Barr for week one would be a bad way to kick it all off.

Bengals playing chess?

Clearly, they’re laying heavy importance on week 1 over in northern Ohio as well. In a chess-like maneuver this afternoon, the Cincinnati Bengals signed former Vikings Training Camp All-Star QB, Jake Browning, to their practice squad. I’m sure this under-the-radar move won’t keep Mike Zimmer up at all the next few nights.

Roster Update: We’ve signed QB Jake Browning to the practice squad and released P Drue Chrisman from the practice squad.

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 7, 2021

I’d love to shrug this off and make fun of its stupidity but signing Jake Browning a brilliant move by the Bengals. Will it make or break the game? Maybe not, but it’s a move that could gain the Bengals some extra insight on what the Vikings are trying to do offensively and it will ABSOLUTELY get into Mike Zimmer’s head.

Now, there’s only one obvious counterstrike for Rick Spielman to make.

If the @Vikings don’t sign former Bengals QB Kyle Shurmur after the Bengals signed Browning. I’ll be very disappointed. ????

— brian heintz (@bheintzskol) September 7, 2021

Youngest Offense in NFL

In other news that may or may not matter, the Minnesota Vikings have the youngest offense in the NFL, according to OvertheCap.com. Because Adam Thielen and Kirk Cousins get a lot of attention, it’s easy to forget just how young the offense is.

Dalvin Cook, for example, just turned 26 and star receiver, Justin Jefferson is barely 22. And without Riley Reiff to hold down the left side of the offensive line, its youth is front and center. Outside of Rashod Hill (29), who (we hope) isn’t a permanent starter at LT, the front-five doesn’t touch 27. Center Garrett Bradbury is the next oldest at 26 years and 79 days.

The NFLs Youngest and Oldest Rosters in 2021. https://t.co/AUFK02smHV pic.twitter.com/62ssSPdm4D

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) September 7, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Whoa. Free-agent safety George Iloka is on his way to Minnesota, and it appears likely he signs with the #Vikings today, per @RapSheet and me. Mike Zimmer connection from #Bengals days. One of the NFL’s best defenses about to get even better?

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 22, 2018

The Vikings are not screwing around. This account is the real Tom Pelissero.

The NFL world was shocked earlier this week when George Iloka was cut by the Cincinnati Bengals. The move was purely financial, as NFL.com notes in that link. Iloka started all 16 games last year for Cinci and 76 of a possible 82 since being drafted in the 5th round of the 2012 draft. He doesn’t jump off of the Pro Football Focus page, when it comes to their grading system but he is only 28 and last year was his best year by that standard.

Also referenced in that PFF article is the fact that Iloka has only allowed 7 TD’s compared to snagging 9 interceptions over his career.

Coming from Cincinnati, the relationship with Zimmer is obviously there and probably plays into this signing. The love Zimmer has from his former players (and current players) pays off again. Apparently others love Zim as much as I do. How can you not?

Now, most who have any knowledge of the Vikings and the NFL dreamed about Iloka in purple, when he was released by the Bengals. But, all we keep on hearing about is the lack of $$$ the Vikings have available. The money aspect of this situation is quite interesting. The Vikings actually have money to spend right now. But, starting in 2019, things get VERY tight… So, does Iloka sign a 1-year deal or something similar?

Or, is this a sign that talks with Anthony Barr have cooled???????????? I have no inside info. Just something to chew on while we wait for the details of this “hopeful” signing to come out.

**UPDATE**

Iloka has picked the number of 28, which will call even more attention to Adrian Peterson, around these parts, after he signed with Washington on Monday. It’s also come out that Iloka will play on a 1-year deal but the $$$ amount is still unknown. I’ll be back as soon as that number comes out

Eric Strack
Minnesota Sports Fan @RealMNSportsFan