They’re heading into the locker rooms for halftime at U.S. Bank Stadium, and
The Bengals’ offense started the second quarter with a punt, and it was a bit of a shank to allow the Vikings to start in Cincinnati territory at the 43-yard line. The Vikings didn’t do much with it, but did manage to get a 35-yard field goal from Will Reichard to extend their lead to 17-0 with a little more than nine minutes left in the first half.
Cincinnati finally got on the board with a little under five minutes remaining
in the half, as Evan MacPherson connected on a 45-yard field goal to make it 17-3. The Vikings’ offense then went three-and-out on a possession featuring a couple of false starts to send the ball right back to Cincinnati. A penalty for fair catch interference on the Vikings gave the Bengals the ball in Minnesota territory at the 48 to start their possession. The Bengals had a 1st-and-10 coming out of the two-minute warning and it looked like they were threatening.
But then Isaiah Rodgers struck again.
Rodgers forced a fumble from Chase Brown after a short pass, then scooped up the loose ball and ran it back 66 yards for his second touchdown of the half to make it 24-3 just before halftime.
On the ensuing Bengals possession, Rodgers did it again, forcing Ja’Marr Chase to fumble the ball away with Jeff Okudah recovering the loose ball for another Minnesota turnover in Cincinnati territory. That led to the first touchdown as a Minnesota Viking for Jordan Mason, who rumbled in from five yards out to make it 31-3 with less than 30 seconds remaining.
Then, the Bengals proceeded to fumble again, with Jalen Redmond forcing Samaje Perine to cough it up and Jon Allen recovering it with less than 20 seconds remaining. The Vikings then got themselves into position for Will Reichard to attempt a 62-yard field goal, and he drilled it to make it 34-3 going into the locker room at halftime.
What a first half for the Vikings! They’re up 34-3 and the crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium is rocking. Come on in and join us for the third quarter of play!
