The injuries have mounted in a major way for the Vikings, which like the Bengals have a backup quarterback starting. Unlike Cincinnati’s Jake Browning, who is 5-2 in his last six games leading this team with three years of experience in the system, Carson Wentz has struggled in games he’s played significant snaps and went 2-6 as a starter in 2022. Even though the Bengals have barely skated by the last two weeks and are now on the road, Browning’s experience – and a full week of prep – should benefit a team that can win outright yet stands getting a field goal. Plus, Cincinnati has the edge up front; it should be able to get after Wentz early and often in the game.

Minnesota is going to have their hands full with Hendrickson today. They are missing center Ryan Kelly due to a concussion, and also don’t have backup LT Justin Skule. Starting LT Christian Darrisaw will make his return in this game, but will be on a snap count as he looks to settle in after tearing his ACL last season. With Darrisaw rotating in & out and no Skule, the Vikings will be forced to shift around O-line positions. This could cause chaos for backup QB Carson Wentz, making his first start for Minnesota. Hendrickson’s pass rush is probably the best feature of this Bengals defense. I see him exploiting a sketchy Vikings O-line and sacking Wentz, who has always hung onto the ball too long.

I give Jake Browning & the Bengals the edge due to Minnesota’s offensive line issues. The Vikings are already allowing a high QB pressure rate, and now are without Center Ryan Kelly and backup LT Justin Skule. This is noteworthy because Vikings star LT Christian Darrisaw is making his season debut, but will be on a snap count. I’ll also be looking to bet on a Trey Hendrickson sack for that reason. This will be Carson Wentz’s 6th different team he’s played for in 6 straight seasons, whereas Browning has been a Bengal for 3 years now and has familiarity with the system/coaches/team. Browning faced this Brian Flores-coached Vikings defense two seasons ago, and threw for 300+ yards & 2 TDs in a win.

Here we go with a battle of backup QBs...a bit more faith in Jake Browning on the Cincy side. Browning, of course, saw extensive action in 2023 after Joe Burrow went down, and was more than serviceable as he kept the Bengals competitive and won them a few games, as he did off the bench last week against the Jags. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz steps in for hurting JJ McCarthy for the Vikings, who've scored TDs in just one of eight Qs thru two games. Wentz is new to the Vikings as he's now on his sixth team, and when last seen did almost nothing for the Chiefs in a Week 17 38-0 loss at Denver as Andy Reid low-keyed it vs. the Broncos. Play Bengals

Jordan Mason's career-high in receptions is two. In four years of college he had exactly three receptions four times. This isn't something he's known for. And the whole Vikings offense figures to be an unknown given Carson Wentz taking over. Wentz's career pass rates to TEs is higher than RBs. And I get how RBs have done well catching passes against Cincinnati, but it would be weird for the Vikings to put Mason in that situation in his first start, plus they could use other players for those same kinds of screens. Just a half-unit bet on this one.

If the Vikings get near the goal-line, Jordan Mason will be the guy with Aaron Jones out. And with Jones out, that means more touches for Mason anyways, so perhaps he breaks one or even scores on a reception. With Carson Wentz at QB for the Vikings, probably a lot of dump-off passes to Mason and the like.

T.J. Hockenson has just four catches through two games, but I like him to break out Sunday with Carson Wentz at quarterback. It's a great matchup versus Cincinnati, and Jordan Addison remains out. Look for Wentz to rely on Hockenson to complete short, safe throws over the middle. This price at FanDuel is much better than the juice required at most other books.

When you look at Jake Browning's career starts with the Bengals (7), he's compiled a 4-3 record. This is good news heading into a matchup vs a team in Minnesota who will be breaking in a new QB in Carson Wentz. Now, Wentz is a grizzled veteran who has played a lot of ball, but you can expect enough growing pains in his first start in this offense, enough to get the Bengals to cover.

Chase Brown has been highly inefficient this season through two starts for the Bengals. He will face a Vikings run defense that got absolutely shredded by Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier last week. The Vikings had one of the better run defenses last season and while they are missing a few starters, I believe they’re much better than what we saw last week. Chase Brown has been one of the worst starting RBs in the NFL through two games.

This pick was locked in prior to the J.J. McCarthy news, which means we're getting a bad number at Vikings -3.5. However, I'd still play Minnesota in this matchup. The Vikings defense should give Jake Browning fits, while I believe in Kevin O'Connell enough to scheme up successful looks for Carson Wentz against this Cincy defense. The biggest concern for me will be the state of Minnesota's offensive line, so keep an eye on the injury report before you lock in a Vikings play at the reduced spread.