MINNEAPOLIS _ The Vikings stunned the Bengals in the first half with four turnovers, two returned for touchdowns by cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, while posting a 48-3 win Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Rodgers, a fifth-year cornerback, gave the Vikings a two-score lead midway through the first quarter when Bengals quarterback Jake Browning drove to the Vikings 29 looking to tie the game at seven. But Rodgers grabbed safety Harrison Smith's tipped pass and went 87 yards for the touchdown to make it 14-0.
Bengals defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr.'s sack of Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz gave the Bengals a shot to tie it at 17-10, and Browning's nine-yard pass to tight end Noah Fant helped get them to the Minnesota 36 at the two-minute warning of the first half.
But on the next play, when Browning went back to Fant on the right sideline on first down, Rodgers forced a fumble after Fant caught it and then scooped it up for a 66-yard return that made it 17-3.
Will Reichard nailed a 62-yarder for the longest field goal in Vikings history and the longest against the Bengals ever as their second-longest winning streak ever came to an end at seven.
NOTES
Jenkins Double-Dips in First Half
Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. notched his first two sacks of the season in the first half, and both came on third down to force a Vikings punt. He brought down Wentz for a 10-yard loss early in the opening quarter, then late in the second period wrapped up Wentz again for a four-yard loss.
Jenkins, a second-year DT out of Michigan who was selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, had three sacks as a rookie last season.
McPherson's 45-Yarder Puts Bengals on the Board
The Bengals started a drive at their own 25-yard line in the second quarter and marched into field goal territory in nine plays, setting up a 45-yard kick by Evan McPherson that gave Cincinnati its first points of the afternoon.
The drive was boosted by a 14-yard completion from Browning to receiver Tee Higgins on third-and-four from the Cincinnati 31. The tackle on Higgins was called for unnecessary roughness, turning the play ultimately into a 29-yard net gain.
McPherson now is three-for-three on field goals this season. The 45-yarder was his longest kick, with each of the previous two coming from 31 yards.
Sample Finds the End Zone
Browning connected with tight end Drew Sample for a four-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. It marked Sample's first touchdown of the season and the fifth receiving score of his career. His last touchdown came in Week 9 of last season against Las Vegas.
Extra Points
- Defensive end Joseph Ossai logged his first sack of the season when he took down Wentz for a five-yard loss in the opening quarter. Ossai now has six sacks over his last nine games played dating back to Week 11 of last season.
- Rookie halfback Tahj Brooks recorded his first career rushing attempt in the third quarter.
- Rookie defensive tackle Howard Cross III made his NFL debut.
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