In this article, we will formulate a Bengals vs Vikings Prediction for this NFL Week 3 game on Sunday, September 21st at the U.S. Bank Stadium. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NFL matchup.
Minnesota Vikings Preview
Minnesota has a 1-1 record this season and are coming off a 6-22 road defeat in Atlanta. Offensively, the Vikings average 16.5 points per game, which ranks 27th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 23.0 points per game, which ranks 17th in the nation. Minnesota averages 226 total yards per game, with 99 rushing yards and 127 passing yards per game. They allow 321.5 total yards per game, 168.5 of them rushing and 153 passing yards per game.
J.J. McCarthy leads the Vikings with 24/41 completed passes and 301 total passing yards. He also adds 50 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. Jordan Mason leads the team in rushing yards, with 98, while J.J. McCarthy adds 50 rushing yards and one touchdown. Justin Jefferson has a team-high 7 caught passes for a team-high 125 receiving yards, and has 1 touchdown. Jalen Nailor has caught 4 passes for 59 yards.
Defensively, Ivan Pace has a team-high 14 total tackles, 9 of them solo. Theo Jackson adds 13 total tackles, 8 of them solo. Javon Hargrave leads the Vikings in sacks, with two.
Cincinnati Bengals Preview
Cincinnati has a 2-0 record this season and is coming off a 31-27 home victory over Jacksonville. Offensively, the Bengals average 24 points per game, which ranks 9th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 21.5 points per game, which ranks 16th in the nation. Cincinnati averages 245.5 total yards per game, with 47 rushing yards and 198.5 passing yards per game. They allow 363.5 total yards per game, 94 of them rushing and 269.5 passing yards per game.
Jake Browning leads the Bengals with 21/32 completed passes and 241 total passing yards. He also adds 1 rushing yard and 1 touchdown. Chase Brown leads the team in rushing yards, with 90 and one touchdown, while Joe Burrow adds 3 rushing yards. Ja’Marr Chase has a team-high 16 caught passes for a team-high 191 receiving yards, and has 1 touchdown. Noah Fant has caught 7 passes for 54 yards, and one touchdown.
Defensively, Daxton Hill has a team-high 18 total tackles, 14 of them solo. Jordan Battle adds 16 total tackles, 6 of them solo. Trey Hendrickson leads the Bengals in sacks, with 2, while Jordan Battle has 2 interceptions, Daxton Hill and DJ Turner have one interception each.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends: Week 3
Why the Minnesota Vikings will win
- The home team has won each of the last eight games between the Bengals and Vikings.
- The Bengals have lost each of their last five games as slight underdogs (<+3.5 points).
- The Vikings have covered the spread in five of their last six games in September.
- The Bengals have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five Sunday games as underdogs.
- The Vikings have won the first half in each of their last four home games against the Bengals.
- The Vikings have won the first quarter in each of their last four games against AFC North opponents.
- The Vikings have scored the first touchdown in each of their last six games against AFC North opponents.
Why the Cincinnati Bengals will win
- The Bengals have won each of their last seven games.
- The Vikings have lost each of their last three September games as home favorites.
- The Bengals have covered the spread in each of their last seven road games against NFC opponents.
- The Vikings have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four September games as home favorites.
- The Bengals have won the first half in 10 of their last 11 road games.
- The Vikings have lost the first quarter in each of their last four games as favorites.
- The Bengals have scored the first touchdown in 12 of their last 13 Week 3 games.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of the Vikings’ last 10 games against AFC opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Bengals’ last four games as underdogs have gone OVER the total points line.
Minnesota Vikings Player Prop Facts
- Justin Jefferson has scored the first touchdown in three of the Vikings’ last four games against AFC North opponents.
- Adam Thielen has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last four Week 3 home appearances.
- Carson Wentz has recorded 225+ passing yards in each of his last 10 September appearances with his team as a favorite.
- Justin Jefferson has recorded 73+ receiving yards in each of the Vikings’ last nine games at U.S. Bank Stadium.
- Cam Akers has recorded 13+ rushing and receiving yards in 20 of his 21 previous Sunday home appearances.
- Cam Akers has recorded 15+ rushing yards in 16 of his last 17 home appearances.
- Carson Wentz has recorded 24+ completions in nine of his last 10 September appearances with his team as a favorite.
- Heading into Week 3, Jay Ward ranks T1st in the league for fumbles recovered (1) this season.
Cincinnati Bengals Player Prop Facts
- Ja’Marr Chase has scored two or more touchdowns in each of the Bengals’ last three games as underdogs.
- Ja’Marr Chase has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Bengals’ last five regular season games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
- Samaje Perine has recorded 24+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last 12 regular season appearances against NFC opponents.
- Samaje Perine has recorded 11+ receiving yards in each of his last 10 regular season appearances against NFC opponents.
- Samaje Perine has recorded 17+ rushing yards in each of his last four appearances with the Bengals as underdogs.
- Heading into Week 3, Jordan Battle ranks T1st in the NFL in interceptions (2) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Heading into Week 3, the Vikings rank 32nd in the NFL in 1st downs (24) this season.
- Heading into Week 3, the Vikings rank T1st in the NFL in 4th down percentage against (0.0%) this season.
- Heading into Week 3, the Bengals rank 32nd in the NFL in rushing yards per game (47.0) this season.
- Heading into Week 3, the Bengals rank T1st in the NFL in 4th down percentage (100.0%) this season.
Bengals vs Vikings Prediction
In their most recent meeting back in 2023, the Bengals won 27-24 in overtime at home. They are 3-1 in their last 4 head-to-head meetings against the Vikings, but both teams are 2-2-1 against the spread in their 5 meetings. The Vikings have won both home meetings against the Bengals, and over is 3-1 in their last 4 meetings.
In this Bengals vs Vikings Prediction, the Vikings are coming as -3-point home favorites, with the total set at 41.5 points. Both teams are coming off opposite outcomes in their previous games, as the Vikings got dominated at home, losing by 16 points and scoring just 6 points. On the flip side, the Bengals have won both games this season, but I still don’t trust them on the road. The Vikings are playing their second straight game at home, where they are still looking for their first win of the season, and I expect them to do so in this matchup. Take the Minnesota Vikings and lay the -3 points at home.