If an ugly, not as close as the score indicated, Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons wasn't enough, the Minnesota Vikings also came out of the game with some notable injuries.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain in the game, and he's expected to miss 2-4 weeks. Running back Aaron Jones left the loss to Atlanta with a hamstring injury, and after being placed on IR, he will miss at least the next four games.
With McCarthy out, Carson Wentz is now the Vikings' starting quarterback. He last started a significant stretch of games in 2022 with the Washington Commanders, so how he'll look is a real question mark. However, it's possible the offense operates more efficiently than it has with the veteran under center.
Jones being out opens the door for what was in line to happen anyway. Jordan Mason has looked like the superior runner of the two Vikings' backs through two games, so he will now seize the lead-back role, and he may not give it back.
Bold predictions would be perfect outcome(s) for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3
In NFL.com's Week 3 roundup of bold predictions from their analysts, two of their bold predictions involved the Vikings.
First up was David Carr, who predicted Wentz will shine in a "victorious Vikings debut."
'Wentz will get the start against the Bengals in place of an injured J.J. McCarthy. He will be the first QB to start for six teams in a six-year span since 1950, but that doesn't mean the journeyman can't play some good ball when asked. In Kevin O'Connell's offense, Wentz throws four touchdown passes to lift Minnesota to victory."
Wentz will get a soft landing in his first Vikings start against a bad Bengals' defense that has some key pieces banged up. Four touchdown passes feels a little too bold, but Carr's overall bold prediction premise holds up.
Next up was fantasy analyst Marcas Grant.
"Vikings' Jordan Mason is fantasy RB1 in Week 3.
Just by the eye test, it looked like Mason was on his way to taking over the Minnesota backfield. With Aaron Jones (hamstring) on injured reserve, the job is all Mason’s for the time being.
With Carson Wentz getting the start under center, expect Kevin O’Connell to lean on his running game against a Bengals defense that has been generous to RBs on the ground and through the air."
Mason's fantasy stock has been simmering since the Vikings acquired him in March. Now he's set to cook with the lead role all to himself, and the Bengals have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs (Yahoo! scoring; 0.5-point PPR) entering Week 3.
But while Cincinnati's first two opponents liberally use multiple backs, the Vikings' backfield is lined up to be Mason clearly ahead of everyone else (Cam Akers and Zavier Scott).
Bold predictions aside, Wentz and Mason will play key roles in the Vikings' chance to win on Sunday. If they do what these bold predictions professed, it might end up being a blowout win.