The Viking Age
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3 reasons the Vikings will beat the Bengals in Week 1

By Adam Carlson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: AJ McCarron #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 17, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: AJ McCarron #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 17, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports) Danielle Hunter /

The defensive line

Last year was tough for the Minnesota Vikings defensive line. They struggled to register pressures on opposing quarterbacks and only registered 23 total sacks on the season. Even more disappointing is that Yannick Ngakoue led the team in sacks with five and only played in six games for the purple and gold.

This year should be much different for the team. Dynamic pass rusher Danielle Hunter will make his return to the team after missing all of last season with an injury. Plus, Big nose tackle Michael Pierce will make his Vikings debut in Week 1 along with the newly acquired defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. Sprinkle in the return of Stephen Weatherly, Sheldon Richardson,  and Everson Griffen, and you have a strong group of defenders in the trenches.

Cincinnati struggled to protect their quarterback last year, allowing the fifth-most sacks in the league (48) with Joe Burrow absorbing 32 of those. Also, instead of drafting an offensive lineman with their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Bengals opted to select wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who has admitted to struggling to adjust to the NFL so far.

If the Vikings can penetrate that offensive line to stop the run and disrupt the passing attack, this could be a very long day for the Bengals offense. Minnesota could be able to register multiple turnovers and keep Cincinnati from putting too many points on the board.

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