Rodgers, Defense Dominate as Wentz Shines in Vikings Debut Against Bengals

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Carson Wentz made his long-awaited debut for his childhood team, the Minnesota Vikings, and while the veteran quarterback delivered a steady, mistake-free performance, it was cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and the defense who stole the show in a 48–10 rout of the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Rodgers forced three turnovers, returning two for touchdowns—a franchise first—to lead Minnesota (2–1) to its largest margin of victory since 1998 and its highest point total since 2015. The loss was the most lopsided in Bengals (2–1) history.

“Obviously being in the purple and gold means a little extra something to me personally,” said Wentz, who became the first quarterback in NFL history to start for six different teams in six consecutive seasons. “It was a ton of fun — also a ton of fun watching the defense play like that.” Wentz, signed just three weeks ago, was thrust into the starting role after rookie J.J. McCarthy suffered a sprained ankle. In three quarters of action, Wentz completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns—one each to tight ends Josh Oliver and T.J. Hockenson—before giving way to rookie Max Brosmer in the fourth quarter.

On the ground, Jordan Mason added balance to the offense with 116 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries. Kicker Will Reichard contributed with a record-breaking 62-yard field goal to close out the first half, setting a new franchise high. While the Vikings rolled, Cincinnati struggled in its first game without franchise quarterback Joe Burrow, who underwent toe surgery last week. Backup Jake Browning, formerly on Minnesota’s practice squad, threw two interceptions and fumbled once. Cincinnati turned the ball over five times and managed just 53 rushing yards on 21 carries. “We got worked today. We’ve got to sit in it,” said Browning, who finished 19 of 27 for 140 yards and a late touchdown before Brett Rypien took over. “You’ve got to go through those emotions of just being miserable.”

The Bengals’ ground game continued its season-long struggles, managing just 147 yards on 61 carries through three games. Despite this, head coach Zac Taylor defended his offensive line and placed the blame squarely on the team’s ball security. “This is a collective effort. I didn’t see the line have one turnover today, OK? I saw a bunch of other guys have five,” Taylor said.

Injury concerns mounted for both teams. Bengals running back Samaje Perine exited in the second quarter with a thumb injury after losing a fumble. Tight end Noah Fant entered concussion protocol after Rodgers stripped him for one of his two return touchdowns. Left guard Dalton Risner briefly left with a calf injury but did not return, and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt was inactive with a hamstring issue. For the Vikings, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave left in the first half with a chest injury but could have returned, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw made his return after nearly a year recovering from a torn ACL and MCL, and veteran safety Harrison Smith played in his first game of the season, deflecting the pass that led to Rodgers’s first interception.

Looking ahead, the Bengals will try to regroup as they travel to Denver for a Monday night matchup on September 29. The Vikings, now riding high behind Wentz and a dominant defense, appear to have found temporary stability after an uncertain start to the season.