5 Quick Takeaways from the Vikings’ Week 3 Blowout
The Minnesota Vikings absolutely dominated the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, climbing to 2-1 in the standings. Green Bay’s loss versus the Cleveland Browns helped the club to share the top seed in the division just a week after it felt like the sky was falling.
5 Quick Takeaways from the Vikings’ Week 3 Blowout
That 48-10 victory was one of the biggest in franchise history. The last one of that level came in 1998, with rookie Randy Moss striking fear into defenders. In 2025, offenses might fear a certain Viking.
1. Isaiah Rodgers is a steal.
If Moss was the ultimate playmaker on offense, Isaiah Rodgers was his defensive counterpart on Sunday. The free agent signing costs the Vikings at most $15 million for two seasons, and that’s with incentives included. He had the game of life in Week 3.
At first, he returned an interception for 87 yards, then he forced a fumble and returned that ball for 66 yards, scoring both times. The corner who entered the league as a dangerous kick returner showed his wheels. He logged a 4.28 40-yard dash ahead of his draft and used that speed to become the first Viking to score a pair of defensive touchdowns in a single game.
Later in the game, Rodgers forced another fumble. He also had a touchdown-saving pass breakup against 6’4″ Tee Higgins and made various tackles. The defender truly had one of the most memorable games in franchise history, one folks will still chat about decades down the road.
2. Carson Wentz can steer the ship.
J.J. McCarthy was sidelined with an ankle injury suffered in his second career start, allowing veteran Carson Wentz to make his Vikings debut.
Minnesota’s long-time fan got the offense rolling early, leading a touchdown drive to start the game. He ended his day with only 20 pass attempts (completing 14), for 173 yards and two touchdowns. The new captain didn’t turn the ball over.
Sure, he wasn’t flawless, but he is experienced enough to lead a solid offense and defer to his playmakers. He’ll get a second start next week.
3. Feed 27.
One of those playmakers is Jordan Mason, the new starting running back with Aaron Jones on IR, and he was phenomenal. Mason rushed 16 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns, with an average per run of 7.3 yards.
The Vikings finally employ a good goalline rusher, and he is the perfect complement for a passing game that has been going through some growing pains. Kevin O’Connell cannot stop feeding Minnesota’s preseason trade acquisition.
4. Christian Darrisaw is elite.
In the first couple of games, the pass protection was not as good as envisioned when the Vikings built the line in the offseason, but they also missed their top blocker. Christian Darrisaw finally returned after a long absence, and he immediately showed his worth.
Even top defender Trey Hendrickson struggled to get past him all day, and he kept his quarterback safe while also opening holes for Mason. It’s truly fascinating that Darrisaw looked exactly like the premier protector on his first day on the field without needing any acclimation period.
5. Will the Thrill can hit that ball.
The next star from the game was kicker Will Reichard, who drilled a new franchise record 62-yard field goal, passing Greg Joseph’s 61-yarder from Christmas Eve in 2022. And he made it look easy.
In the offseason, there were some rumblings about him net rebounding from his post-injury struggles, but none of that is relevant anymore. He has hit all six field goals and all six extra points this year. Three of his kicks were from at least 50 yards, and he never blinks.
Editor’s Note: Information from ESPN, PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.