In a battle of 7-6 teams, the Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday afternoon. The last time the Vikings played on Saturday afternoon was also in week 15. They beat the Indianapolis Colts 39-36 in overtime, setting a record for the largest comeback (33 points) in NFL history.
The Vikings don’t have the greatest history against the Bengals. The series is tied 7-7 but the Vikings are only 1-7 in games played in Cincinnati. Their only win in Cincinnati came in 1992 where they won by a score of 42-7.
Heading into Saturday’s game, our staff took a look at four different storylines to watch for.
Managing editor Tyler Forness: Can Ty Chandler breakout?
With Alexander Mattison in flux for Saturday afternoon, that opens the door for Chandler to emerge as not just a capable starting running back, but also the potential future option at the position.
Going into the season and through the preseason, many thought that Chandler could emerge as the top back due to his speed and quickness through the hole. His biggest issue has been seeing the rushing lane in zone runs and taking advantage of what has been given to him by the offensive line. Sometimes, reps can help with that as Chandler only has 49 rushes on the season. His ability to take the next step forward could propel the Vikings to victory.
Columnist Judd Zulgad: How shorthanded is the offensive line?
Nick Mullens’ ability to operate from the pocket will be impacted by how healthy his offensive line will be for this game. Right guard Ed Ingram missed the Raiders game because of a hip injury, right tackle Brian O’Neill suffered an ankle injury that forced him to leave the game and left guard Dalton Risner (ankle) also hobbled off the field but was able to return. If Ingram and O’Neill are out against the Bengals that will mean Blake Brandel and David Quessenberry will be the starters. The Bengals are tied for 17th in the NFL this season with 35 sacks, but the Vikings’ injuries on the line could make it easier for them to get at Mullens.
Columnist Saivion Mixson: The growth of Ivan Pace Jr.
13 total tackles (seven solo), one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, one sack, one pass deflection and one interception. Since 2006, only five rookies have had stat lines similar to this, with the most recent being Tremaine Edmunds in 2018.
What Pace has done in his first season as an undrafted rookie has been incredible. The loss of Jordan Hicks has been hard to swallow, past the fact that he could’ve literally lost his leg. On the field, this was another vital part of this team’s construction to miss extended time. Pace has transitioned into the interior of this defense well and is doing what he’s done since the beginning of the season: Do the most with the opportunities given. Now, he’s getting to where he is dominating games, as proven by his first Defensive Player of the Week nod.
The development of Pace will be a story that continues to get recognition as the combination of him and Hicks, whenever he may return, is a perfect symbol of the competitive rebuild that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah continues to preach. Keep us competitive in the present while continuing to build for the future. With steals like Pace, the future is looking pretty bright.
Columnist Chris Spooner: Is Nick Mullens the guy?
Minnesota comes into Saturday’s game against the Bengals with their fourth starting quarterback of the season: Nick Mullens. Mullens took over in the second half of last week’s game after yet another lackluster performance from former starter and NFL’s best story Josh Dobbs. Now it’s Mullens’ task to right the ship and keep Minnesota in the NFC playoff picture. With Minnesota closing out the season with pivotal division matchups against the Packers and Lions (twice), there’s no wiggle room remaining. The Vikings have to win, and they have to have a good game from the quarterback to do it.
