Cincy Jungle
If Jake Browning was looking for a Cinderella story in his return to Minnesota, he was in for a rude awakening. While he was the headlining player because of his position, the Bengals’ implosion on Sunday wasn’t solely on his shoulders.
Here are the facets that were the good, the bad and the ugly on Sunday with the Bengals against the Vikings.
Myles Murphy — flashes when it mattered
Even in a game mostly to forget, Myles Murphy made a few plays that at least hinted at his upside. He logged a half‑sack (in combination) and had a heads-up chase-down on Carson Wentz, containing him for just a one-yard gain on a scramble. That kind of hustle play is the kind of effort you want from your edge defenders even when the game is slipping away.
Kris Jenkins, Jr. — showing some fight
Jenkins, a second-year interior lineman, had his moments. He recorded at least 1.5 sacks in the first half (per game narrative) against Minnesota’s line, which is not trivial. In a game where pass rush was otherwise largely stifled, his ability to generate pressure was one of the few positive signs for Cincinnati’s defensive front.
Evan McPherson — redeeming a rough ’24
With the Bengals starved for offense, McPherson provided one bright spot. He drilled a 45‑yard field goal with about five minutes left in the second quarter to scratch the scoreboard and give Cincinnati their first points. For a kicker, making the routine still matters — and after a shaky 2024 campaign, that was at least a modest step in the right direction.
Interior offensive line — the soft spot exposed
If there was a weakest link in this game, it was the Bengals’ interior offensive line. Browning faced consistent pressure up the middle, and both Ted Karras and Dalton Risner struggled when matched up with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. The rookie Dylan Fairchild compounded the issue with a critical holding penalty on a drive early in the second quarter that wiped out a first down — one of those self-inflicted wounds that magnified an already rough day.
Worse still, the running game never got going. Facing a Brian Flores defense, the Bengals needed to keep things honest on the ground; instead, familiar failings reemerged. The line’s inability to create creases or sustain blocks forced the offense into long third downs and predictable passing situations.
Jake Browning — overmatched and error-prone
It may be harsh to lay the entire blame on Browning — the supporting cast was crumbling around him — but he had a disastrous outing. His stat line: 19-of-27 for 140 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs per the box score.
He started the turnover spiral with a terrible read that resulted in an 87-yard pick-six to Isaiah Rodgers, after a tipped ball. Later in the first half, after working his way into Minnesota territory, a pass to Noah Fant was jarred loose by Rodgers, who scooped it and...
