Bengals vs Minnesota Vikings Match Player Stats: Ultimate Performance Analysis and Historical Breakdown

February 26, 2026 5 Min Read

The NFL is a league of numbers, and few matchups offer as much statistical intrigue as the cross-conference clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings. Whether you are a fantasy football enthusiast, a sports bettor, or a die-hard fan, understanding the “Bengals vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats” is essential for grasping how these two high-powered organizations compete.

In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into the recent player performances, season-long trends, and historical data that define this rivalry. From the arm of Joe Burrow to the explosive speed of Justin Jefferson, every yard and tackle tells a story of gridiron strategy and individual brilliance.

Table of Contents

Recent Game Summary: September 21, 2025

The most recent meeting between these two teams on September 21, 2025, resulted in a decisive 48-10 victory for the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. This game was a statistical anomaly in several ways, particularly due to the absence of Joe Burrow (recovering from toe surgery), which left Jake Browning under center for Cincinnati.+1

Passing Stats: The Battle of Efficiency

Minnesota’s Carson Wentz managed the game with surgical precision, while Cincinnati’s Jake Browning struggled against a relentless Vikings defense.

Carson Wentz (MIN): Completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. His passer rating of 129.8 reflected his ability to capitalize on short fields.
Jake Browning (CIN): Completed 19 of 27 passes for 140 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Browning was sacked 3 times for a loss of 20 yards, highlighting the pressure applied by Minnesota’s front seven.
Max Brosmer (MIN): The backup entered late in the game, adding 29 yards on 4 attempts to finalize the blowout.

Rushing Dominance: Controlling the Trenches

The Vikings’ ground game was the engine behind their 48-point performance. Jordan Mason spearheaded an attack that the Bengals simply could not contain.

Jordan Mason (MIN): Carried the ball 16 times for 116 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. His 7.3 yards-per-carry average kept the chains moving and the Bengals’ defense on the field.
Tahj Brooks (CIN): The rookie showed flashes of potential, rushing 5 times for 17 yards in his NFL debut.
Chase Brown (CIN): Struggled to find room, recording only 3 yards on 10 carries, a testament to Minnesota’s interior defensive strength.

Key Offensive Playmakers: A Statistical Comparison

When analyzing “Bengals vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats,” the wide receivers and tight ends often provide the most explosive data points. Both teams utilize modern, pass-heavy schemes that lean on elite playmakers.

Receiving Leaders

In the 2025 matchup, the distribution of targets was a key factor in the final score.

Justin Jefferson (MIN): Despite a quiet yardage game by his standards, Jefferson’s presence opened lanes for others. He recorded 5 receptions for 49 yards.
T.J. Hockenson (MIN): Remained a red-zone favorite, hauling in a 5-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead in the third quarter.
Ja’Marr Chase (CIN): Targeted 6 times, catching 5 passes for 50 yards. His longest reception was 28 yards, but he was largely neutralized by double coverage.
Noah Fant (CIN): The tight end was a bright spot for the Bengals, catching all 5 of his targets for 26 yards.

Rushing Efficiency Metrics

Player	Team	Carries	Yards	Avg	TD
Jordan Mason	Vikings	16	116	7.3	2
Samaje Perine	Bengals	4	21	5.3	0
Tahj Brooks	Bengals	5	17	3.4	0
Cam Akers	Vikings	5	19	3.8	0

Defensive Standouts and Game-Changing Metrics

Defense often wins championships, and in the case of the 2025 Vikings vs. Bengals game, it certainly won the day. The “match player stats” for the defense show why Cincinnati was unable to keep the game competitive.

Defensive Playmakers

Isaiah Rodgers (MIN): The standout player of the game. Rodgers recorded an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 66-yard fumble return for a touchdown, a feat rarely seen in NFL history.
Kris Jenkins Jr. (CIN): The second-year defensive tackle was a force in the first half, recording a sack and multiple tackles for loss.
Blake Cashman (MIN): Led the Vikings with 7 solo tackles and provided consistent pressure in the “A-gap.”
Ivan Pace Jr. (MIN): Tallied 7 tackles and was instrumental in stopping Cincinnati’s run game on first down.

Advanced Defensive Stats

The Bengals’ offense turned the ball over 5 times, a statistic that almost always guarantees a loss. Minnesota’s defense achieved a “Pressure Rate” of 38%, forcing Jake Browning into quick decisions that led to the two interceptions by Isaiah Rodgers and Jalen Redmond.

Historical Series Context: 8-8 All-Time Tie

Heading into 2026, the rivalry between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings is perfectly balanced. This historical parity makes every new game a “tie-breaker” for franchise bragging rights.

Overall Record: 8 wins for Cincinnati, 8 wins for Minnesota.
Average Score: Historically, games in this series average approximately 23.9 points for the Vikings and 19.2 points for the Bengals.
Home Field Impact: The home team has won the last four meetings, suggesting that crowd noise and travel play a significant role in “Bengals vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats.”
Overtime Thrillers: One of the most famous meetings occurred on December 16, 2023, where the Bengals won 27-24 in an overtime classic led by Jake Browning’s heroics.

Season-Long Trajectory: 2025-2026 Performance

To understand the match stats, one must look at the season-long performance of the core rosters.

Cincinnati Bengals (2025 Season)

The Bengals finished the 2025 season with a 6-11 record, largely due to the mid-season injury to Joe Burrow. Despite the losing record, individual stats remained strong:

Joe Burrow: Maintained a 71% completion rate prior to injury.
Ja’Marr Chase: Exceeded 1,400 receiving yards for the season.
Chase Brown: Emerged as a primary back with over 1,000 rushing yards.

Minnesota Vikings (2025 Season)

The Vikings enjoyed a more successful campaign, finishing 10-7 and competing for the NFC North crown.

Sam Darnold/Carson Wentz: Combined for over 4,400 passing yards and 35+ touchdowns.
Justin Jefferson: Led the league in several receiving categories, including targets and yards after catch (YAC).
Defense: Finished in the top 10 for “Turnover Differential,” a stat that was bolstered significantly by the Bengals game.

Conclusion: The Impact of Individual Stats on Team Success

The “Bengals vs Minnesota Vikings match player stats” reveal a clear picture: while the Bengals have the elite individual talent in players like Burrow and Chase, the Vikings have displayed superior depth and defensive opportunism in recent years. For Cincinnati, the key to reversing their recent fortunes lies in protecting the football and ensuring their stars are healthy for these critical cross-conference matchups.

For fans, these stats serve as a roadmap for what to expect in future meetings. As the Bengals look to break the 8-8 series tie in their next encounter, all eyes will be on the health of Joe Burrow and whether the Cincinnati defense can finally contain the explosive Minnesota offense.

Also Read: Solving the 2579xao6 Code Bug: A Comprehensive Debugging Guide