The Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) and Minnesota Vikings (1-1) meet in NFL Week 3 on Sunday, Sept. 21. Kickoff is set for in 1:00 p.m. ET from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. The game will broadcast live on CBS.
The Vikings are 3-point favorites over the Bengals on the spread (Vikings -3), with the over/under set at 42.5 total points. Minnesota is a -160 favorite to win outright while Cincinnati is +135 to pull off the upset.
Bengals vs Vikings will feature two backup quarterbacks in Jake Browning for Cincinnati and Carson Wentz for Minnesota due to injuries to Joe Burrow and J.J. McCarthy. How should bettors approach this game given the QB situations?
Find my Bengals vs Vikings prediction for today's contest below.
Bengals vs Vikings Prediction
- Bengals vs Vikings pick: Bengals +3 (-110)
My Vikings vs. Bengals best bet is on Cincinnati to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Bengals vs Vikings Odds
| Bengals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 42.5 -110o / -110u | +135 |
| Vikings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 42.5 -110o / -110u | -160 |
Bengals vs Vikings NFL Week 3 Preview
Jake Browning was a hot mess in relief of Joe Burrow for the Bengals last week, completing 21-of-32 pass attempts for 241 yards to go along with two touchdowns and three interceptions en route to a 31-27 victory over the Jaguars.
Some people may be put off by the fact that Browning threw three interceptions. However, that's just what backup quarterbacks do sometimes, especially in a mid-game relief spot.
The Vikings will be trotting out a backup quarterback of their own with Carson Wentz set to start in place of the injured J.J. McCarthy.
Browning didn't really need to do it last week against Jacksonville, but he has actually played pretty well against the blitz over the course of his career, which bodes well entering a matchup against Minnesota. In his lone appearance against a defense coached by Vikings DC Brian Flores, Browning and the Bengals won the game by a score of 27-24.
There are always ideas that escalate far too quickly in the NFL, and right now, I think the narrative surrounding the Vikings is way too complimentary of Kevin O'Connell.
People seem to assume that he single-handedly fixed Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones with just a brief amount of time in Minnesota's quarterback room, and now he can do the same for any quarterback.
However, if you really take a look back at the data, it becomes clear that O'Connell can't do it with literally any quarterback.
The Vikings offense began to unravel in situations where they were forced to play Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall. But then again, Josh Dobbs also looked like a superhero in this offense for a few weeks, so I also see why people believe that.
Bengals vs Vikings Prediction, Betting Analysis
The Vikings offense has scored a grand total of 12 points across seven of their eight quarters of football this season with their starting quarterback at the helm — aside from their 21-point outburst in the fourth quarter of their comeback victory over the Bears.
Now they have Carson Wentz making his first start on short prep? Remember, he's been with the team for less than a month.
The Bengals aren't great, but Wentz isn't either. Plus, the Vikings have already been experiencing issues offensively with their starting quarterback.
Are we supposed to think they are going to look better with Wentz?
Meanwhile, the Bengals are still typically able to score whenever Browning starts in place of Burrow. They finished with 31 points last week. And in seven career starts, the Bengals have posted a record of 4-3 with Browning at QB, averaging around 23 points per game.
On the flip side, Wentz is barely averaging 200 yards per game on 6.2 yards per attempts in his last 17 appearances, and it's been a long time since he eclipsed seven yards per attempt. I don't trust him. I also don't think Kevin O'Connell has the magic touch, or at least not enough to immediately fix Wentz.
The Vikings are struggling to get the ball to Justin Jefferson, they're down a running back, and now the fate of the offense is going to heavily rely on the success of Jordan Mason and the rushing attack.
I'd rather buy low on a guy like Browning than just blindly trust O'Connell and Wentz.
I might be on an island, but I think the Bengals can get the job done.
Pick: Bengals +3 (-110)
Spread
My Vikings vs. Bengals betting prediction is on Cincinnati to cover the spread at +3.
Moneyline
I will be betting on the Bengals to cover the spread as opposed to targeting them in the moneyline market.
Over/Under
I'm staying away from the total in this spot.
