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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(Photo by Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports) Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen /

Attacking a weakness

Trae Waynes was a good defender when he was a member of the Minnesota Vikings. He was exceptionally strong against the run and was able to hold his own in coverage. After leaving the team and heading to Cincinnati, he has struggled to stay on the field.

So far, he hasn’t been able to suit up for the Bengals and his first game will not come against his previous employer. In his place, Cincinnati will be forced to play Eli Apple against either Adam Thielen or Justin Jefferson on Sunday.

No matter which star receiver draws Apple this weekend, it should be considered a matchup advantage that Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense can exploit. Expect a big passing day from Minnesota as they build their lead.

If the Vikings can be successful in this matchup, it will open things up underneath for Dalvin Cook to do even more damage. Keeping a safety to help Apple in coverage sounds like a good idea in theory, but Minnesota’s running back will be licking his chops with fewer defenders to worry about close to the line of scrimmage against a team that was ranked 29th in run defense last year.

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