Quick Hits: Bengals Fumble Their Way To Utter Humiliation, Suffer Worst Loss In Franchise History, 48-10, To Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS — The Bengals fumbled their way to a historic embarrassment in Skol Country.

Isaiah Rodgers returned an interception 87 yards for a touchdown and added a 66-yard fumble return for a score to lead the Minnesota Vikings to a 48-10 rout of the visiting Bengals Sunday here at US Bank Stadium. Rodgers also forced two fumbles, becoming the first player in NFL history to force two fumbles and score two touchdowns.

The Minnesota defense forced four Cincinnati turnovers and scored 24 points in the first half off those turnovers. In all, Cincinnati (2-1) fumbled the ball six times, losing three of them while Jake Browning threw two more interceptions, including one that was returned for a score.

Minnesota (2-1), which scored 17 points in the closing minute, 47 seconds of the first half, improved to 7-0 all-time in home games against Cincinnati and evened the all-time series at 8-8. In two games in this building, the Bengals have been outscored, 82-17.

Browning, starting his first game since Joe Burrow’s left foot surgery on Friday, finished 19-of-27 for 140 yards and two interceptions. Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz, who came out with 11 minutes left, didn’t need to do much, completing 14-of-20 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown.

From the offensive line getting zero push early to the defense blowing tackles to the offensive skill players not protecting the ball, it was an abject and complete embarrassment by the Stripes, from bow to stern. A total no-show all-around for the Bengals, who

In a game that featured a pair of backup quarterbacks, it was Carson Wentz who drew first blood, marching the Vikings 64 yards in six plays, capped by a 12-yard pass to an uncovered Josh Oliver for the first touchdown and a 7-0 Minnesota lead just over two minutes into the game. The Bengals were flagged for three penalties on the first two snaps of the series by Ron Torbert’s officiating crew.

Browning took command of the Cincinnati offense, making his eighth career start and first since 2023 when he also filled in for a sidelined Joe Burrow.

Browning went three-and-out on Cincinnati’s first drive but managed to drive the Bengals to the Minnesota 29 on the second drive. But on second-and-9, Browning targeted Chase Brown but the pass was tipped by safety Harrison Smith and intercepted by Isaiah Rodgers at the Minnesota 13. Rodgers had a caravan of blockers down the left sideline and returned it the distance for an 87-yard pick-6 and a 14-0 Minnesota lead.

The interception was the fourth by Browning in three quarters of action since replacing Burrow in the second quarter of last week’s game against Jacksonville.

The Bengals got on the board with 4:42 left in the first half when Evan McPherson converted from 45 yards out to cut Minnesota’s lead to 17-3. But with the Bengals driving into Minnesota territory with 1:47 left in the first half, Noah Fant caught pass from Browning and had it poked out from behind by Rodgers, who scooped it up and raced for his second touchdown of the day. Ja’Marr Chase then fumbled on Cincinnati’s next drive, setting up a Jordan Mason five-yard touchdown run with 33 seconds remaining.

Then Jalen Redmond forced a fumble by Samaje Perine with 20 seconds remaining, with Jonathan Allen recovering. Minnesota finished the half in style with a franchise-record 62-yard field goal from Will Reichard to cap the 17-point surge and give the Vikings a 34-3 halftime lead.

OTHER NOTES:

The Bengals had a first down throw from Jake Browning to Ja’Marr Chase in the second quarter wiped out by a hold on Dylan Fairchild.

Jordan Battle nearly had his third interception in as many games in the second quarter when Jalen Nailor had a pass bounce off his chest and into the vicinity of Battle. But the ball hit the turf before Battle could get his arms under it. The Vikings settled for a 35-yard Will Reichard field goal to make it 17-0.

Ja’Marr Chase was the deep man back on Reichard’s 62-yard field goal and was prepared to return the ball if it didn’t clear the goal post. But he watched it go over instead.

The Bengals lost Samaje Perine to a right thumb injury late in the first half and he did not return.

Dalton Risner suffered a right calf injury in the second half and did not return. Jalen Rivers took his place at right guard.

Noah Fant left in the second half to be evaluated for a possible concussion.