Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals – Week 1 live game highlights

Vikings vs. Bengals: Second Half

The Bengals got the ball to start the half and immediately started chipping away at the Minnesota defense. Higgins got the best of Breeland before he exited the game and birthday boy Kris Boyd took the field. An interception bounced out of Boyd’s hands and landed in the mitts of Tyler Boyd, setting up another first down. In the red zone,

Finally, Joe Mixon punched the ball into the end zone for a score. He danced the Griddy for his celebration, much like Chase did after his score. Following the extra point, the Bengals led 7-14.

Ihmir Smith-Marsette made a mistake taking the ball out after the kickoff, only getting to the 11-yard line. Minnesota followed that up by pounding the ball with Dalvin Cook. Oli Udoh got called for unnecessary roughness causing a 15-yard penalty and loss of down.

When the Bengals got another offensive possession, Michael Pierce got his first sack as a member of the Vikings. Still, Chase was able to haul in a pass and slip by defenders to give Cincinnati a fourth and one. They chose to run the ball, but Minnesota had Breeland shoot the gap and make contact with Joe Mixon to get the stop.

Minnesota took over on downs and soon found themselves in a fourth and four situation. Cousins delivered another touchdown throw to Adam Thielen on a quick-developing play. The score made it a one-possession game as the Vikings trailed 14-21.

Cincinnati showed off their run game on their drive, dominating the line of scrimmage and powering the ball with Joe Mixon. The fourth quarter started with more of the same. The Bengals kept running the ball effectively  Minnesota forced a 53-yard field goal try, but Evan McPherson knocked it through to give them a two-possession lead 14-24.

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The Vikings tried to set up some runs of their own on their possession. They picked up short passes and eventually took a shot to Justin Jefferson who broke some tackles and was ruled down at the one-yard line. Mike Zimmer challenged the call and the ruling stood. Minnesota had Dalvin Cook run the score in and a Greg Joseph extra point made it a 21-24 game.

Special teams made a great play to stop the kickoff return. Harrison Hand brought down the returner at the ten-yard line, giving the Bengals a long field to work with. An overthrow from Burrow and a sack by Danielle Hunter saw Joe Burrow come up limping after the play.

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Down three points and with 7:18 on the clock, Minnesota took back over. A first down holding call on Ezra Cleveland pushed the Vikings back. A sack on third down ended the drive and forced a punt back to the Bengals.

The two-minute warning came with the Bengals leading 21-24 and with possession of the ball and a third and four play. Minnesota got the stop but Cincinnati took the field on offense for fourth down. They attempted to get the Vikings to jump offsides but failed and punted it away.

Cincinnati pinned the Vikings at the five-yard line, making the field a long one for Minnesota to march. Minnesota completed several passes to put them in position for a 53-yard field goal to force overtime. Greg Joseph lined up and was iced on his first kick. The second and final attempt was good to force overtime 24-24.