In the Cincinnati Bengals' first full game without Joe Burrow, the Minnesota Vikings took advantage of the opportunity to face a backup quarterback, Jake Browning, and their defense was relentless.
Top two takeaways from Bengals' 48-10 loss to Vikings:
Jake Browning struggles as a starter:
Browning, who is Burrow's understudy, got the start against Minnesota after stepping in at quarterback in the Bengals' Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, this time, his performance did not propel the Bengals to a win, but in fact harmed their chances to put points on the board, and at times, helped the Vikings score.
Browning threw for 140 yards and a touchdown, but tossed two interceptions, including an 87-yard pick-six to Vikings' cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.
CRIBBED.@rodgers_isaiah
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 21, 2025
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/VRusxti1cT
He was sacked three times for a loss of 20 yards,
Cincinnati's run game stalls:
While Browning struggled through the air, the Bengals were even less efficient on the ground.
Running back Samaje Perine was Cincinnati's leading rusher. He finished the game with 21 rushing yards on three carries, including a 12-yard scamper. But outside of his first down, the Bengals couldn't get anything done on the ground.
Tahj Brooks finished the game with 17 rushing yards on five carries, Ja'Marr Chase had a single carry for nine yards, and Jake Browning ran out of the pocket once for a three-yard gain.
Chase Brown, the Bengals RB1, was seemingly non-existent. He racked up 10 carries for a total of three yards. Cincinnati finished the game with 171 total scrimmage yards.
Perine, Noah Fant, and Chase each lost a fumble, and Brown and Cam Grandy both coughed up the football, but the Vikings recovered it.
Five total turnovers, and Chase's fumble led to another Rodgers touchdown, a 66-yard scoop and score.
Up next for Cincinnati: Monday, September 29 vs. Denver Broncos (8:15 p.m. ET on ABC)
