NFLGame PreviewsCIN VS MIN Preview Week3 season 21-SEP-2025

Game Preview of Cincinnati Bengals @ Minnesota Vikings. Week 3 of 2025 NFL Season

CIN logo

CIN

2-0-0
@
21SEP25
01:00pm
MIN logo

MIN

1-1-0
U.S. Bank Stadium

Game Preview

Backup stories headline Sunday in Minneapolis, but the matchup still has teeth. Cincinnati visit U.S. Bank Stadium without Joe Burrow, and Minnesota may turn to Carson Wentz if J.J. McCarthy can’t go. Kick-off is 1:00 PM ET.

The Vikings profile as a run-lean side right now. Their under-centre rate is 64.7% (94th percentile) and they’ve popped explosives on the ground (8.3% explosive run rate, 91st pct). That lines up with a Bengals defence that sits on the wrong side of the explosive-run ledger (explosive runs allowed — 84th percentile exposure).

Cincinnati’s offence, meanwhile, has lived in shotgun (61.2%, 94th pct) yet hasn’t produced many deep jolts (deep-pass explosiveness 6th pct; overall explosive pass rate 19th pct). Against a Vikings defence that stops third downs at 65.2% (83rd pct), the Bengals may struggle to extend drives, especially with an 11.5% sack rate allowed (9th pct) and injuries across the interior.

The market expects a tight, lower-total game. The anchor spread sits Vikings -3.0 (-115), with a total of 44.0 (Under -147, Over +114). With key playmakers QuestionableJustin Jefferson for Minnesota; several Bengals pass-catchers and linemen — volatility is part of the handicap. Manage risk and mind the juice.

Current Season Form

CIN logo

CIN

Away
Record:2-0-0
ATS:1-1-0
O/U:1-1-0
MIN logo

MIN

Home
Record:1-1-0
ATS:1-1-0
O/U:1-1-0

Head-to-Head Summary

Record:
3-2Winner logo
ATS:2-2-1
O/U:3-2-0

Past Results

DateOpponentResultATSO/U
2025-09-14vs ATLL 6-22L 3.5u44.5
2025-09-08@ CHIW 27-24W +-1.5o43.5
2025-01-13@ LARL 9-27L -2.5u47.5
2025-01-05@ DETL 9-31L 3.0u56.5
2024-12-29vs GBW 27-25W +-1.0o49.0
2024-12-22@ SEAW 27-24W +-2.5o43.0
2024-12-16vs CHIW 30-12W +7.0u43.5
2024-12-08vs ATLW 42-21W +6.0o46.5
2024-12-01vs ARIW 23-22W +3.5u45.5
2024-11-24@ CHIW 30-27W +-3.0o39.5

Key Insights

 

  • Run script favours Minnesota: Explosive Run Rate 8.3% (91st pct) meets a Bengals front that’s been vulnerable to explosives (run allowed — 84th pct exposure).

  • Money-down edge to Vikings D: Minnesota’s defence owns a 65.2% third-down stop rate (83rd pct); Cincinnati’s offence has a 50.0% conversion (70th pct, small sample) that may regress on the road.

  • Vertical chances if Jefferson plays: Vikings Deep Pass Expl 7.0% (72nd pct) faces a Bengals unit allowing 6.7% explosive passes (62nd pct); Jefferson is Questionable, which adds uncertainty.

  • Protection stress both sides: Vikings Sack Rate Allowed 15.6% and Bengals Sack Rate Allowed 11.5% (9th pct) suggest pressure can derail drives, especially with LT Christian Darrisaw Out and Bengals interior injuries.

  • Game shape leans slower/shorter: Minnesota’s under-centre tendency (64.7%) and Cincinnati’s limited deep punch (deep-pass explosiveness 6th pct) point to longer fields and fewer chunk flips.

  • Turnover pulse matters: Bengals Turnover Generation 2.8% (84th pct) can tilt short fields if Minnesota’s QB play is rusty; tie this to Harrison Smith Out on the other side for balance in the secondary.

 

Betting Insights

  • Vikings -3.0 (-115): Backed by MIN third-down stop 65.2% (83rd pct) vs CIN sack-rate-allowed 11.5% (9th pct), which can stall Bengals drives.

  • Under 44.0 (-147): Run-lean MIN under-centre 64.7% + CIN deep-pass struggles (6th pct) and QB uncertainty support a lower-scoring script; note the heavier juice.

  • Vikings team total Over 22.5 (-119): Explosive Run Rate 8.3% (91st pct) vs CIN explosive-run allowed exposure (84th pct) raises red-zone chances.

  • Bengals team total Under 19.5 (-111): MIN third-down stop 65.2% (83rd pct) plus CIN -3rd-down sack risk (11.5% allowed) cap scoring at 3s over 7s.

  • Jordan Mason anytime TD (-175): Matchup funnels to ground work; see explosive-run edge listed above.

  • T.J. Hockenson over 35.5 receiving (-116): QB-in-flux often checks down; play-action from under-centre can free the tight end over the middle.

(Always price-shop. Props tied to Questionable players carry elevated variance; reduce stake or wait for final statuses.)

Final Summary

Minnesota have the more stable path: run the ball, lean on under-centre play-action, and let a good third-down defence squeeze field position. The trenches — and health — are the swing factors with LT Christian Darrisaw Out and the Vikings’ centre situation Questionable.

Cincinnati need explosives to keep up, but their deep game hasn’t lit yet, and their sack-rate-allowed (11.5%) invites negative plays. If Minnesota’s receivers are healthy, a few verticals can punish a Bengals defence that’s been average vs explosives (6.7% allowed).

The market mirrors that read: Vikings -3.0 (-115) with a 44.0 total tilts toward a controlled, mid-scoring contest. Expect runs, play-action, and a field-position grind.

Bottom line: Minnesota have the cleaner script at home, but Questionable tags (notably Justin Jefferson and Vikings QB) inject variance. Keep bets sized to risk, respect the juice, and be ready to adjust if inactives shift the matchup an hour before kick.

Statistical Battle Boards

Viewing: MIN Offense vs CIN Defense
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Total Points33#2643#17CIN advantage
Total Points Per Game16.5#2921.5#16CIN advantage
Total Touchdowns3#275#18CIN advantage
Passing Touchdowns2#234#26MIN advantage
Rushing Touchdowns1#231#15CIN advantage
Other Touchdowns0#120#23MIN advantage
Total Kicking Points13#1913#22MIN advantage
Total Two Point Conversions1#30#17MIN advantage
Kick Extra Points1#324#20CIN advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Net Passing Yards254#30539#5CIN advantage
Net Passing Yards Per Game127#30270#6CIN advantage
Passer Rating67.2#3277.8#28CIN advantage
Passing Attempts41#3087#30🏈
Completions24#3255#5CIN advantage
Completion Percentage58.5#3163.2#11CIN advantage
Passing 1st downs12#3128#29CIN advantage
Passing 1st Down %50#2565.1#25🏈
Longest Pass50#940#21MIN advantage
Passing Fumbles Lost1#70#13MIN advantage
Receiving Targets41#3083#3CIN advantage
Receptions24#3255#29CIN advantage
Receiving Yards After Catch110#31326#32MIN advantage
YAC Average4.6#225.9#28MIN advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Rushing Yards198#21188#10CIN advantage
Rushing Yards Per Game99#2194#24MIN advantage
Rushing Attempts45#2451#13CIN advantage
Yards Per Rush Attempt4.4#153.7#24MIN advantage
Rushing 1st downs9#2710#14CIN advantage
20+ Yard Rushing Plays0#311#15CIN advantage
Long Rushing19#2530#11CIN advantage
Rushing Fumbles0#311#15CIN advantage
Rushing Fumbles Lost0#120#16MIN advantage