Vikings at Bengals
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
TV: Fox
Tipico line: Vikings by 3 1⁄2 Vikings’ keys to victory: Minnesota will need to ride RB Dalvin Cook, who ran for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns on a 5.0-yard average last year, in order to counteract what should be an improved Bengals pass rush. Cook should make life easier on QB Kirk Cousins against a rebuilt Cincinnati secondary and provide cushion for a defense that needs to key on stopping the run after allowing an average of 134.4 rushing yards per game (sixth worst in the league) and 29.7 points (fourth worst) last season.
Bengals’ keys to victory: Protect QB Joe Burrow at all costs. He’s back early on a surgically repaired knee and playing behind a rebuilt line. The emphasis should be on riding RB Joe Mixon on the ground and through the air, especially with rookie WR Ja’Marr Chase struggling with drop issues. DL D.J. Reader and the new-look defense will need to slow Cook to get the Vikings off the field.
Matchup to watch: Vikings WRs vs. Bengals CBs. With Cincinnati CB Trae Waynes likely out, the Vikings could pick on new arrivals CBs Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie with WRs Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, especially with Cincinnati focused on Cook. One or two splash plays against corners making their debut in a new defense could swing the outcome.
Who wins? Burrow isn’t going to be his normal self who settled in last season in Week 1. A new-look line and defense will undergo growing pains alongside him. Cook should pop off while Cousins’ weapons at wideout will make critical plays late.
Vikings, 24-20