Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Bengals' 2025 opponents. We will continue with the Minnesota Vikings.
2024
The Vikings finished 14-3 last season and were second in the NFC North behind the Detroit Lions. They lost in the Wild Card round to the Los Angeles Rams, 27-9.
Minnesota ranked ninth in points per game last season, averaging 25.4 points per contest. They finished 12th in total yards per game and were sixth in passing yards per game, as head coach Kevin O'Connell helped revive the career of Sam Darnold. The former third overall pick threw for over 4,300 yards and 35 touchdowns. Defensively, the Vikings allowed 19.5 points per game, the fifth-fewest in the NFL.
Offseason Changes
The biggest change this offseason comes at the quarterback position: Darnold signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks, opening the door for 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy to be the Vikings starter. McCarthy was on track to potentially start his rookie season, but he suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during the preseason and was sidelined for the year. McCarthy was the 10th overall pick in 2024 out of Michigan, leading the Wolverines to a National Championship. Minnesota also brought back RB Aaron Jones and traded for former 49ers RB Jordan Mason.
Minnesota added in the trenches this offseason, signing offensive G Will Fries, C Ryan Kelly and drafting Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson in the first round. On the defensive side of the ball, they added former Commanders DT Jonathan Allen and 49ers DT Javon Hargrave.
Coaching Staff
O'Connell enters his fourth season as the head coach of the Vikings and was named Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2024. He became the first head coach in NFL history since 1950 to win at least 14 games in a season with a quarterback who was in his first team with a team. A former offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, O'Connell signed a contract extension with Minnesota this past January.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has helped Minnesota turn around its defensive unit. Since he was hired in 2023, the Vikings have forced the third-most takeaways (53) and allowed the third-fewest rushing per game (96.1). Flores has more than two decades of experience in the NFL, including a three-year stint as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, and was a finalist for the 2024 Associated Press Assistant Coach of the Year award.
Series History
The Bengals and Vikings have played 15 times in the past, with Cincinnati holding a slight 8-7 advantage. The most recent matchup came in 2023, with Jake Browning leading the Bengals to a comeback victory at Paycor Stadium.
What To Watch For
A week after matching up with one LSU stud in WR Brian Thomas Jr., the Bengals will see another in WR Justin Jefferson. Jefferson was teammates with QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase with the Tigers, winning the 2020 National Championship.
Minnesota's defense allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game through the air last season and will match up with a Bengals passing attack that led the league in passing yards per game.
Check out the best photos from the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season.
HB Chase Brown walks to the field before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WR Coach Troy Walters leads a huddle before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
HB Trayveon Williams walks to the field before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
CB Chidobe Awuzie walks to the ield before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
TE Irv Smith Jr. warms up before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
CB Cam Taylor-Britt jumps with LN Germaine Pratt before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
DE Sam Hubbard warms up before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
CB Mike Hilton warms up before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
HB Chase Brown warms up before the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
LB Germaine Pratt warms up before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
TE Tanner Hudson before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Head Coach Zac Taylor before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
CB Chidobe Awuzie and WR Tee Higgins warm up before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WR Ja'Marr Chase before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WR Tee Higgins warms up before kickoff of the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
K Evan McPherson makes a field goal during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
TE Mitchell Wilcox runs the ball during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WR Ja'Marr Chase catches the ball during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WR Ja'Marr Chase celebrates during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
QB Jake Browning throws the ball during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
HB Joe Mixon runs the ball during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
LB Germaine Pratt sacks the Minnesota quarterback during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
DE Trey Hendrickson celebrates during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
DE Myles Murphy during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
DE Sam Hubbard celebrates during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
LB Germaine Pratt and LB Logan Wilson tackle the Vikings ballrunner during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
CB Mike Hilton intercepts the ball during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
CB Mike Hilton celebrates his interception during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
DE Myles Murphy runs during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
CB Mike Hilton celebrates during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
DT B.J. Hill sacks the Vikings QB during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
DT B.J. Hill celebrates his interception during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
TE Tanner Hudson catches the ball during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
S Jordan Battle sacks the Vikings ballrunner during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
HB Joe Mixon runs the ball during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
HB Chase Brown runs the ball during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
HB Joe Mixon runs the ball during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
QB Jake Browning passes the ball during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
C Ted Karras during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WR Tee Higgins catches the ball during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
HB Joe Mixon scores a touchdown during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
HB Joe Mixon celebrates his touchdown during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WR Tee Higgins passes the ball to the ref during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WR Tee higgins catches the ball during the Vikings-Bengals game in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Head Coach Zac Taylor speaks to the team after the Bengals beat the Vikings in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The team huddles after the Bengals beat the Vikings in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
DT B.J. Hill and CB Cam Taylor-Britt celebrate after the Bengals beat the Vikings in Week 15 of the 2023 season on December 16 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
