Top 7 plays and highlights: Minnesota Vikings vs Bengals in Week 15

Check out the top plays and highlights from the Minnesota Vikings Week 15 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, December 17, 2017!

The Minnesota Vikings entered Week 15 of the 2017 NFL season in a good position. Sitting on top of the NFC North and having the second-best record in the NFC is a great place to be, but they also had the opportunity to win the division at home with a victory on Sunday, December 17, 2017.

But that wouldn’t be easy. The Vikings faced off against their head coach’s former team, the Cincinnati Bengals. Zimmer was the defensive coordinator in Cincinnati under coach Marvin Lewis and looked to get that win.

In a game with so much on the line, there were bound to be some big plays from Minnesota on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball that will end up on being shown multiple times as highlights.

Let’s take a look at the Vikings biggest plays and highlights from Week 15 win against the Bengals by a final score of 34-7 starting with a big return to the football field!

#7. Teddy’s Back! (kind of)

It’s been a long time since Teddy Bridgewater has taken the field for any kind of action in an NFL game. In fact, he’s been out of action since his non-contact knee injury that kept him out through the entire 2016 season.

This is why it was an emotional moment when the Vikings quarterback got some playing time with Minnesota had a massive lead over the Bengals and the second team offense and defense entered the game.

Bridgewater returned to a loud ovation from the fans and a huge amount of fanfare from the national media as well. Even though his return didn’t go great as far as a stat line, seeing him on the field was a great moment that likely brought tears to the eyes of many fans.

#6. Kai Forbath bangs in a long one

Hitting a long field goal in the NFL looks easy on television, but it’s amazing just how tough it can be to find the right combination of power and accuracy to split the uprights and get your team three points,

For the Minnesota Vikings, they put faith in kicker Kai Forbath to boot through a 53-yard field goal to extend their lead over the Bengals. Forbath has a career long of 57 yards but has been hit or miss this season, so the kick was anything but automatic.

Right away, the kick looked like it was going to be good. However, it continued to veer to the left, making an impact against the goalpost. With a thud, the ball bounced to the right, but through the uprights!

This kick gave the Vikings a 17-0 lead over the Bengals late in the first quarter.

#5. B-Rob hunting Bengals

The Bengals weren’t exactly putting on an offensive clinic in Week 15, as they were shut out in the first half and struggled to move the ball against the extremely physical, speedy, and disciplined Vikings defense.

One important part of that defense is pass rusher Brian Robison. Even though Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen are technically the starters, there is a rotation involving plenty of players who can all do some great damage to the opposing offense.

Robison had a couple of great sacks during this game, with one, in particular, coming in the first quarter where he played the pass rush very well and got to Andy Dalton for a loss.

https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/942458390298624001

#4. Latavius punches it in

Setting the tone for an NFL game is very important. Minnesota took the opening drive of the game all the way down the field and picked up several first downs along the way to assert their home dominance.

With the ball placed at the two yard line, the Vikings turned to their physical running back Latavius Murray to handle duties on the goal line with 10:39 left in the first quarter and the game scoreless.

Running behind fullback C.J. Ham, Murray punched right into the center of the Bengals defense, pushing forward and across the goal line for the first touchdown of the game, giving Minnesota a 7-0 lead after the Kai Forbath extra point.

#3. Neman’s crossover interception

Andy Dalton made some questionable throws during this game, resulting in two interceptions that the Vikings were able to capitalize on. One of those came from Terence Newman in the third quarter.

This is one of those plays that may not look very impressive until you actually take a moment to look at just what Newman did since it involved some great concentration, quick thinking, and agility.

Jumping in front of a pass, Newman looked like he made a clean catch of the ball, but that just wasn’t true. In fact, the ball fell between his legs and he was able to keep his leg high enough to make the catch with his arm from underneath.

Acrobatic and exciting for a man his age!

#2. Diggs catches a rocket!

Every once in a while, it’s easy to forget about everything that Case Keenum is capable of doing. He’s been a model of consistency and accuracy, but sometimes his ability to let a pass go with some great zip s forgotten.

With 6:47 left to go in the second quarter and the Vikings in a 2nd down with 16 yards to go from the 20-yard line, Keenum took the snap from the shotgun and surveyed the field for passing options.

Showing very little hesitation, the quarterback let a pass fly, placing it between two defenders and right into the hands of Stefon Diggs, who hauls in the catch for the team’s third touchdown of the day against the Bengals.

#1. Kendricks to the house!

With the Bengals on offense at their own 23-yard line with 6:05 left in the 3rd quarter, Cincinnati was put in a tough position to convert: 3rd and 6 against a swarming Minnesota Vikings defensive unit.

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After Andy Dalton took the snap, he had some time in the pocket. Finally, he made the decision to pull the trigger on a throw to wide receiver Alex Erickson but failed to account for one particular member of the Vikings defense.

Running across the field, Eric Kendricks kept a close watch on Dalton. Reading the play the whole time, he changed directions at the last moment to leap in front of the pass and make a clean catch of the football.

Thanks to some great athleticism and blocking from teammates, he made his way down the field by hugging the sideline and finally leaping into the end zone to complete the pick 6 and give the Vikings a 14-0 lead early in the game.

Next: Ups and Downs from Week 15 vs Bengals

What was your favorite highlight from the Minnesota Vikings week 15 game against the Cincinnati Bengals and what do you think the road will hold for the boys in purple for the 2 remaining regular season games? Let us know in the comments section below.