The Minnesota Vikings lost a soul-crushing game against the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 27-24 in an overtime thriller.
Minnesota had as high as an 87% win probability with a minute left to go in regulation according to ESPN Analytics. Overall, the offense looked better with Nick Mullens under center instead of now-emergency quarterback Josh Dobbs.
The defense had their worst game in months, allowing 24 points in the second half and overtime. They were due for a let-down performance after the dominance they had shown as of late, not allowing a touchdown in 12 straight quarters.
Yet another opportunity wasted by Minnesota to take firm control of their playoff future. Now the Vikings are 7-7, losing a game on their lead against the rest of the field.
In this game, some stocks rose and helped keep Minnesota in the game, while others dropped in the loss.
Stock up: RB Ty Chandler
The mystery of Chandler was one of the biggest stories heading into this game against the Bengals. Mattison earned the starting job going into the season, but there was that segment of Vikings fans that wanted the second-year spark plug to become the guy in the backfield.
Chandler rewarded that belief with a game of a lifetime. Chandler ended the game with 132 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown. He also added 25 yards on three receptions on four targets. Chandler is the first player to gain 100 yards or more on the ground for the Vikings this season.
His explosiveness was on display early and often, including a 30-yard run that set up the Addison touchdown to give the Vikings the lead late in regulation. Chandler showed some good vision throughout the game as he found the holes throughout the Bengals’ defensive front. The explosives that Chandler brought to the game today are something Minnesota’s run game has not had this season. Even though the Vikings lost the battle today, they may have won the war by finding a viable weapon in the run game.
Ty Chandler totals 46 yards on the drive and caps it with a go-head TD❕#SKOL pic.twitter.com/cIacZ4s4Dq
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 16, 2023
Stock down: QB Nick Mullens
Did the offense look better under Mullens? Yes. The passing game averaged a positive EPA/play for the first time since their week 11 loss against the Denver Broncos.
The offense’s .15 EPA/play was the best since Kirk Cousins’ last game against the Green Bay Packers. They were clicking better than they had at any time with Dobbs, which should be expected given his extended time in the offense. Mullens ended his first start as a Viking going 26-of-33 for 303 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
But you can’t continue to turn the ball over and expect to have consistent success and some of Mullens’ mistakes were just abysmal.
I don’t know when the next time we will see a quarterback throw an interception directly into the lap of a would-be pass-rusher but I hope it doesn’t happen anytime soon. It was brutal.
B.J. Hill makes one of the wildest big man INTs of the season!
📺: MINvsCIN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/vtmfEKvOLy pic.twitter.com/qLCtwmwtQP— NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2023
With the success of the offense as a whole, Mullens will more than likely be the starter next week against the Detroit Lions. He did a good job getting everyone in the offense involved. Four receivers got three receptions or more on the day. However, the errant throws and leaving crucial points on the field have got to stop.
Stock up: OLB Danielle Hunter
Hunter has officially gotten every dollar that he can get from the sack incentives in his contract. With 2.0 sacks on Saturday, Hunter takes the NFL sack lead back with on the season.
While the Bengals did end up moving the ball late, Hunter was a key reason why Jake Browning and the Cincinnati offense were unable to get into a rhythm early. Including what was a massive hit on Browning that helped Hunter pass Jared Allen for sixth on Minnesota’s all-time sacks list.
Danielle Hunter crushes Jake Browning, passes Jared Allen for sixth in Vikings history in sacks (86.5) pic.twitter.com/htKxm6TouM
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 16, 2023
Stock down: Turnovers (again)
This is going to be quick. The Vikings lost the turnover battle again as the Bengals only threw one interception to Mullens and Minnesota’s two.
The Vikings lost 7.1 expected points with their two interceptions. An entire touchdown was gone because of bad decision-making and erratic throws.
It can’t continue. Minnesota continues to shoot themselves in the foot with unnecessary mistakes. These turnovers led to at least six points off the board in a game where every point mattered.
Mike Hilton and the @Bengals defense stands strong 💪
📺: MINvsCIN @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/vtmfEKvOLy pic.twitter.com/wZUkKLiOMF— NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2023
Stock up: WR Jordan Addison
Justin Jefferson had an impressive first start where he played through the whole game in over two months. His impact was felt in a variety of ways, none more important than opening up the field for others to get the football. The chief recipient this week was rookie Jordan Addison.
The former Biletnikoff Award winner caught all six of his targets for 108 yards and one touchdown. Addison’s 1.8 EPA/play and 100% success rate led all players. His eight touchdowns have him tied for fourth-most in the NFL with Stefon Diggs and CeeDee Lamb.
Addison was the offense’s focal point, allowing defenses to key in on him while Jefferson was out. Addison immediately took advantage of his one-on-one opportunities with Jefferson back in the lineup. Including this 37-yard catch-and-run to get the scoring going at the beginning of the second half.
Jordan Addison's first touchdown since Week 8 is a crazy one pic.twitter.com/SZofRhwX1c
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 16, 2023
Stock down: Playoff hopes
With the loss, the Vikings are now 7-7. It feels like every time Minnesota has a chance to solidify its status as a playoff team, they drop the ball. The offense plays possibly their best game in months and the defense allows 24 points in the second half and overtime.
The Vikings lose their one-game insurance in the wild-card race and have made it particularly difficult to win the NFC North, especially if the Detroit Lions win their matchup against the Denver Broncos.
With each loss, Minnesota’s margin of error lessens and if they aren’t careful, they may lose their chances at the postseason altogether.
