The Vikings Have Found Their Almighty Blueprint
Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor talk on the field prior to a game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Balance — the Minnesota Vikings need it on offense. In 2025 and henceforth.
The Minnesota Vikings handily defeated the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, and along the way, they found the special sauce in one area.
Rushing the football effectively, while relying on Kevin O’Connell’s traditional pass-happy ways, will be the meal ticket in Minnesota, and for a single game this season, O’Connell figured it out.
His team ran the rock efficiently, and wouldn’t you know it? His team won by 38 points.
The Vikings Proved They Could Run the Football
Shoutout to Jordan Mason for the one-week heroics.
Minnesota running back J. Mason reacts with teammate Will Fries after reaching the end zone against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sep 21, 2025, during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mason’s score gave the Vikings a needed boost in momentum as they battled through a tightly contested game. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Steady Rushing Offense Shuts the Door on Bengals
The Vikings received a Hall of Fame performance from cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who scored two defensive touchdowns over 60 yards, forced two fumbles, and graded perfectly from Pro Football Focus. In short, not much was needed besides Rodgers’ theatrics on Sunday.
But when it was time to ensure that Cincinnati wouldn’t wiggle back into the Week 3 contest in any way, shape, or form, Minnesota did something that fans have asked them to do for four years: run the football.
Minnesota banked 169 rushing yards on Sunday, with a sweet 5.5 yards per carry. Drives didn’t stall due to rushing futility, which is somewhat frequent on offense under O’Connell.
Nope — O’Connell imposed his will on the ground, and the next thing anybody knew, his team won by a score of 48-10.
Jordan Mason as a Revelation
So, what changed? Jordan Mason was the change.
The Vikings traded for Mason in March, a swap with the San Francisco 49ers involving a 6th-Round pick that Minnesota obtained from the Houston Texans in a previous deal for offensive guard Ed Ingram.
Minnesota running back J. Mason is stopped by Cincinnati Bengals defender Jordan Battle during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sep 21, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mason fought through contact on the play but was wrapped up quickly, showing the physical battle in Minnesota’s Week 3 matchup against Cincinnati. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Aaron Jones, the Vikings’ RB1 heading into 2025, injured his hamstring last week, paving the way for Mason to take RB1 snaps. And truth be told, Mason had already trended toward the job title in the first place.
In stomping the Bengals, Mason carried the rock 16 times for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a blisteringly good 7.3 yards per rush attempt. It might really be that simple for O’Connell: give the ball to Mason, ask the offensive line to do its part, and allow the offense to prosper.
What a novel concept.
The Blueprint for Kevin O’Connell
Beyond a doubt — no argument from anyone — Minnesota needs a balance in its offensive playcalling. It doesn’t do anybody any good on a long-term basis to rear back and throw the ball 65% of the time. Super Bowl-winning teams don’t pass at that clip, and in fact, teams that rush 65% of the time are more likely to win it all.
Of course, O’Connell will never fully commit to a run-first offense, nor do fans want that. However, he must preserve the balance that was on display Sunday — that’s how Super Bowls are won.
