NFL
By Jalen Willingham
The Cincinnati Bengals will face the Minnesota Vikings at home for week 15 of the 2023 NFL Season. The Vikings are 5-2 on the road this season. They have not won in Cincinnati since 1992.
When: Saturday December 16 at 1:00 pm ET
Where: Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio
Network: NFL Network
Offense
Jake Browning gets to finally face the team that picked him up as an undrafted free agent in 2019: the Minnesota Vikings. I’m sure he will be fired up to face them. Ja’Marr Chase will also be looking to show who’s the better receiver between him and Justin Jefferson.
The Bengals shut down a top pass rush in Indianapolis and didn’t allow a single sack. They snapped a 42-game streak of allowing at least one sack. The offensive line and Browning will once again be tested. The Vikings have the highest blitz rate in the league. They will move people around and send more that 5 defenders as well. So far, Jake Browning has a rating of 128.4 when blitzed. Danielle Hunter will be on the prowl. He has 58 pressures on the year going into this game.
A balanced offense is the way to go. Don’t get too ahead of yourself after two great wins. Cincinnati needs to run the ball at least 30 times. The Bengals are 4-0 when having 27+ rushing attempts. Both Joe Mixon and Chase Brown need to get a lot of touches. Brown needs to get the ball in space as well. He has shown great breakaway speed with the ability to make people miss.
Taking care of the football also needs to be a priority. The Vikings forced three turnovers last week. They have also given up just 12 touchdowns in the last 10 weeks which is the fewest in the NFL over that span. They are also getting great coverage all-around from guys such as Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus and undrafted free agent linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. One turnover could change the entire game in this matchup.
Defense
Minnesota posted just three points last week against the Las Vegas Raiders. They have also scored just one touchdown in the last nine quarters. The Vikings have benched Joshua Dobbs. Starting now will be Nick Mullens. Cincinnati still should not get comfortable. This is still anybody’s game to win.
Running back Alexander Mattison and right tackle Brian O’Neill will be out. A key matchup to watch up front will be Trey Hendrickson against Christian Darrisaw. Sam Hubbard should have plenty of opportunities to make plays on the edge however as he will face backup tackle David Quessenberry.
Star receiver Justin Jefferson will play on Saturday. His health is still something to watch. Even with him being banged up, he still demands extra coverage. Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt remains to unfortunately. Jefferson will be moved all around and slot corner Mike Hilton should be ready to cover him as well. We may also see rookie Jordan Addison going one-on-one with Chide Awuzie. Tight end TJ Hockenson could also have a big game. The Bengals haven’t been able to cover tight ends all season. Let’s see if they can finally improve in this area.
Prediction
Bengals win 24-17
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