Our Final Prediction for Bengals at Vikings

Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) celebrates after a touchdown during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings have never lost in the state of Minnesota to the Cincinnati Bengals, putting the streak on the line this week against Jake Browning and friends.

Each week, VikingsTerritory writers fire off score and winner predictions for the Vikings, and this week features the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cincinnati’s usual starter, Joe Burrow, is on the shelf for approximately three months with a bad toe. Minnesota won’t have J.J. McCarthy, who’s nursing a high ankle sprain back to health. McCarthy is week-to-week.

Per the usual routine, we asked our writers to forecast a winner and score for the upcoming Vikings game, and here’s what they said about Week 3.

Bengals at Vikings | VikingsTerritory Formal Prediction

Our writers have weighed in.

Minnesota tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) exited the field after a matchup with the Atlanta Falcons on Dec 8, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Hockenson’s performance was a key storyline as Minnesota battled to maintain offensive production during the divisional contest. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Score Predictions from Our Writers

Dustin Baker: MIN Wins, 31-14
Sean Borman: CIN Wins, 24-23
Janik Eckardt: MIN Wins, 19-16
Josh Frey: CIN Wins, 28-24
Henrique Gucciardi: MIN Wins, 24-16
Wesley Johnson: MIN Wins, 27-23
Kyle Joudry: MIN Wins, 24-22
Adam New: MIN Wins, 19-12
Tony Schultz: MIN Wins, 20-18
Ted Schwerzler: MIN Wins, 27-21
Ali Siddiqui: MIN Wins, 23-17
Cole Smith: MIN Wins, 23-21

In Week 2, Josh Frey was the closest to predicting a score outcome, though it was comical because he picked Minnesota to win by just three — and it lost by 16. That was the closest anyone came to accuracy.

Smith picked running back Jordan Mason for a big outing: “Jordan Mason will rush for 100-plus yards. The Vikings rushed for 120 yards in Week 1 after the running lanes began to open up in the fourth quarter. They weren’t able to quite replicate that performance in Week 2 against the Falcons, only running for 78 yards.”