The Minnesota Vikings played at the Cincinnati Bengals for the second time in the last three years and lost by the same 27-24 score after turning the ball over in overtime.
In 2021, the Vikings fumbled the ball away when driving in enemy territory. In 2023, it was failing twice in a row on the tush push. The frustration from the loss had Fire KOC trending on Twitter.
It’s fair to be frustrated, as the Vikings blew a 14-point lead they entered the fourth quarter with despite playing really well on offense.
Saturday’s edition of studs and duds highlight some impressive performances and others that cratered the chance at a victory.
Stud: OLB Danielle Hunter
Hunter continues to be one of the best pass rushers in the National Football League. In the first half, Hunter had two sacks and passed Jared Allen for fifth all-time in sacks in Vikings history. He was consistently pressuring quarterback Jake Browning all afternoon and making life difficult for the offense.
Dud: QB Nick Mullens
It was the right call to make the change at quarterback from Josh Dobbs to Mullens. However, that doesn’t mean everything goes smoothly for the new starter. Mullens did throw two touchdown passes but also turned it over twice and a pick six was taken away due to an offsides call on Trey Hendrickson. There was still plenty of good from the signal caller but the bad was really rough and was costly. Combine that with two failed tush push attempts in overtime and Mullens’ 303 passing yards will quickly be forgotten.
Stud: RB Ty Chandler
The Vikings had to start second-year running back Ty Chandler with Alexander Mattison out with an ankle injury. Needless to say, he took advantage of that opportunity with a fantastic performance. He was the first player to rush for 100 yards for the Vikings since week 10 of 2022. Chandler looked explosive through the hole and was seeing the field better than he had previously.
Dud: C Garrett Bradbury
Throughout the game, the Vikings did a really good job running the ball and also running the quarterback sneak. They converted it multiple times in regulation. In overtime, they had two chances to gain less than a yard and failed to do so. On both plays, Bradbury got walloped and his lack of push was the deciding factor in the Vikings not being able to drive down and get the game-winning field goal.
Stud: WR Jordan Addison
In a game where the Vikings needed to have their skill position players step up for the quarterback, Addison did and then some. He didn’t just catch six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, Addison was a massive playmaker consistently, including scooping a pass from his shoetops and taking it for a touchdown. Things didn’t work out in the end for the Vikings but it’s not due to the performance from Addison.
Dud: Anyone guarding Tee Higgins
Sometimes, you just get your butt whipped. On Saturday afternoon, Higgins whipped the Vikings’ butts in key situations. He caught two touchdowns that proved to be pivotal in the Bengals getting the victory. The second touchdown came where he skied high and beat Akayleb Evans for the football and reached it across the goal line. That effort on a ball that was thrown with little care ended up being a pivotal play in the game.
