EAGAN, Minn. — On a scale of one-to-adverse, the Vikings are on the wrong side of the median.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell has been here before, though, having navigated an injury-laden 2023. The situation this year is not yet as dire as when the Week 1 starting offense managed nine snaps together across 17 games like it did two years ago, but it has forced Minnesota to study its reflection in the mirror.

Entering the Week 3 home game against Cincinnati (2-0), O'Connell has maintained morale amidst Minnesota's 1-1 start with authenticity. Mainly, he's reinforced the do-your-job aspect of camaraderie.

All in an effort to be able to adapt in advance, and in real-time, to the injuries and absences besetting the Vikings so far that have contributed to the offense's shakiest start since O'Connell's hiring in 2022.

"I think we won a football game in Week 1 by having a good ability to [adapt], playing 60 minutes knowing it's not always going to be something that you're going to want to hang on the wall and brag about how great it looked," O'Connell said this week, regarding the Vikings search for consistency. "That's just not the NFL. (And) especially with the maturation process of certain parts of our team."

The slog of injuries in 2023, which transformed planned continuity into contingency plans, taught O'Connell "adversity is an opportunity," he said. "It's an opportunity for growth. It's an opportunity for somebody that is here for a reason to step into a role and have a chance to thrive hopefully because of the plan, the coaching, the players they have around 'em. It's about, really, a trust that you're trying to earn from the guy next to you every single snap: 'Are you doing your job or are you not doing your job?'"

O'Connell noted two process mistakes that can interfere with the on-field product. Firstly, the "noise" has to be filtered out of the Monday-Saturday preparation; secondly, it's counterproductive to waste a single second on anything that doesn't generate and harness the confidence and trust that's required.

A laundry list of injuries, including an ankle sprain sidelining J.J. McCarthy has raised the early season difficulty level for the Vikings. But "it's not just us" having to swap out personnel, O'Connell reminded.

In a table-flip of events, Sunday's clash against Cincinnati won't feature either team's CFP National Championship-winning and Top 10-drafted quarterbacks. The Bengals are starting former Viking Jake Browning in relief of Joe Burrow, who injured his toe in Week 2, and Carson Wentz is in for McCarthy.

Minnesota also ruled out veteran center Ryan Kelly and tackle Justin Skule. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw, along with safety Harrison Smith and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel were listed as questionable.

Vikings Uniform

Minnesota will rock its modern home look with purple jerseys and white pants.

3 Vikings Storylines

1. Playmaker activation

Defenses understandably go out of their way to reduce Justin Jefferson's chances for catches.

Still, despite drawing his normal share of double-teams, he leads the Vikings through two games with seven grabs for 125 yards and a score. Modest numbers for his majesty. Speedy receiver Jalen Nailor and tight end T.J. Hockenson are next on the chart with four receptions for 59 and 27 yards.

For a few reasons, the volume just hasn't been there for Minnesota's skill players: A dearth of plays (eight fewer than any other squad) and first downs (ranked last as well, and one fewer than Tennessee); insufficient time to distribute the rock and/or lagging decision-making that will quicken with experience; and a general feeling-each-other-out phase (the offense has new pieces, qualifying a settling-in period).

Asked this week about the relationship between the attention Jefferson attracts and quick-game passes, Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips said certain coverages are more conducive to plays of that nature, but so is certain personnel capable of executing the concepts with certain skills, namely timing and footwork.

"The one thing about quick game is, (former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach) Jason Garrett used to always say – I think it was from some of his experiences as a player – but he said, 'In quick game, the defense has to cover for this long'," Phillips explained, snapping his fingers to illustrate the obligatory speed of delivery. "But certainly something we've talked about is instilling a little more quick game in the offense.

"We've got to find ways to put the ball in the hands of our playmakers," he added. "First and foremost, no matter how that's done, Justin Jeffersons and T.J. Hockensons and these guys – we have to find ways to get the ball to these guys because it's only going to help our team and our offense be productive."

2. An emphasis on tackling

One year ago, sound tackling was one of the surest things about the Vikings defense.

Minnesota finished 2024 with 79 missed tackles. The only defenses that whiffed on fewer were Denver (78), Baltimore (76) and Pittsburgh (69). The beginning of 2025 has been a complete reversal, with the Vikings missing 22 tackles already, the third most in the NFL (Cincinnati has missed the fourth most, 21).

Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores was candid on the topic, aware that tackling, or a lack thereof, on Sunday Night Football was one of the breakdowns that allowed Atlanta to rush for a fatiguing 218 yards.

"Obviously, we're not going to tackle anybody live to the ground [in practice]," said Flores, "but those techniques and fundamentals that go into tackling, as far as your footwork and acceleration into a ball carrier, breaking down and re-accelerating into a ball carrier or into a bag or into a sled, we can certainly do those things. And we'll continue to do those things. Not that we haven't – but we'll work on it more."

Two tidbits to consider here: 1) The tightest-gripped tacklers are experts at balancing intensity and aggression with reaction and control; 2) Falcons RB Bijan Robinson is PFF's missed tackles forced king to date in 2025 with 15, including 12 at Minnesota; Bengals RB Chase Brown is tied for eighth with seven.

3. Specialist shoutouts

Greater consistency across the board is desired no doubt.

That said, kicker Will Reichard and punter Ryan Wright have been in the spotlight a fair amount and performed well. Reichard is 4-for-4 on field goal attempts with a long of 59, and he is riding a streak of six consecutive regular-season games, the longest active one, with a 50-yarder going back to last season.

Wright, after fending off a position battle in training camp for the second straight year, has booted 11 balls into the sky (second most behind Tennessee's Johnny Hekker, 13) and owns the No. 7 net punting average (45.5 yards). That mark represents a 3.2-yard increase from his rookie year, which was his finest.

"The biggest thing is we've really kind of been working on his lines, his patience, how he's swinging [his leg], not being so swipey coming across his body and kind of coming more up and through," Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels expressed about the fourth-year punter this week. "We've really been just locking in on the footwork [and being] poised through the noise, and it's really paying off for him.

"The talent has always been there," Daniels continued. "He's just got to lock in on those small, minor details to execute at an elite level. … But right now, he's kind of built this supreme confidence."

The dependability of the gunners on the punt team, zooming to cover up the returner, also is an asset.

Tavierre Thomas is a seasoned vet in that area and rookie Tai Felton has an "untamable, undeniable type of attitude that you really appreciate," Daniels said, which has helped restrict returners to 37 yards (3.4 avg.) so far. "At some point, sooner rather than later, I expect it's going to require two guys to try to kind of hold [Felton] up. Otherwise it's going to be Layup City left and right between him and Mr. Wright."

2 Things 'Bout the Bengals

1. Double trouble

Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase exploded onto the scene at LSU in 2019, pacing the FBS with 1,780 receiving yards and 20 touchdown grabs. His Tigers teammate, "Jets", totaled the most receptions (111) and racked up 1,540 yards and 18 touchdown catches. Together, they captured the most TD receptions by a teammate duo in a single campaign in the FBS over the last 30 seasons. Their QB … was Burrow.

Now, Jefferson is the NFL's all-time leader in receiving yards per game (95.7) and Chase is second (87.8). The former tied Larry Fitzgerald as the youngest player to record 500 receptions in prime time against Atlanta last week while the latter went for 165 yards and a touchdown via 14 catches to top Jacksonville.

Chase definitely is the focal point of Cincinnati's offense, but he has a standout partner in jump-ball aficionado Tee Higgins, who averaged slightly more receiving yards per game than Chase with Browning filling in, in 2023 (65.6 vs. 63.8). Higgins caught both of Browning's TD passes, including one to help knot the game at 24-all with 39 seconds left that season before the Bengals trumped the Vikings in overtime.

Since Chase's rookie year in 2021, the Bengals top two receiving threats have produced 32 100-yard games (20 for Chase; 12 for Higgins). The only sets of teammates in that span with more are Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, with 23 and 13 respectively, for the Rams, and Miami's Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, with 22 and 12. Chase and Higgins have gone for 100-plus yards apiece in the same game twice.

2. Reigning sack champ

After pouring resources into the offensive line, it's surprising Minnesota has given up the second-most sacks (9) in the NFL through Week 2. … But is it actually? Injuries and a young quarterback adjusting to bigger, faster, stronger are generally detrimental to efficiency. As such, there's nothing to lose sleep over.

Except, maybe, for Trey Hendrickson.

A hold-in at Bengals training camp until receiving a lucrative raise, Hendrickson is a madman off the edge. He has two sacks already in 2025; he led the league with 17.5 in 2024; he tallied as many in 2023 and is tied for the NFL lead in QB pressures since 2020, with 210, according to Pro Football Reference.

"He's a complete player," O'Connell said Friday. "There's guys that are elite players from the physical skill set. There's guys that are elite players from the motor and an effort standpoint. There's guys that are elite above the neck from a football intelligence standpoint. I think he has all those things. … You've seen [him] play over 70 percent of the snaps after not having a lot of time leading into the season. So I think he's unique. I think he's different in a really good way — and hard to play against way. So we've got to know where 91 is, and we've got to acknowledge the challenge that it's going to be and go compete."

Hendrickson aligns almost exclusively as the right defensive end (on the left tackle's side) and can flat-out wreck games. Offenses tend to try chipping him with a tight end or running back to quell his impact.

Clearly, the stoppage there is uninspiring; that puts immense pressure on Minnesota's o-line.

Phillips chalked up the majority of protection miscues after two games to a lack of time on task as a group. Blocking against "games" up front, such as twists and stunts, demands an amount of continuity.

"I wouldn't say there's been a lot of mental errors as far as missed assignments," he said, noting the injury misfortune. "I do think there is something to playing together as a unit, and the more a unit plays together they understand each other and how to work together that much better. But we've had some injuries and new guys gotta step in, and they've got to play with the same technique, fundamentals that we're coaching any starter to play with to make sure that we don't have any of those kinds of lapses."

1 Key Matchup

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell vs. Bengals Defensive Coordinator Al Golden

It's not a boxing match, but we're curious about the jabs, counters and knockout shots.

In football lingo, we're interested how O'Connell may cater the offense to Wentz's strengths, perhaps condensing the range of plays available considering that Wentz will have been immersed in the system for 28 days come Sunday. Does that newness result in more quick-game concepts? Phillips noted such designs are ideal against certain coverages and generally dependent upon player preference. Short completions aren't always indicators of quick game, but Wentz's history in that regard is some proof of success with quick-release, timing-based throws. From 2016-22, he hit 1,099 of 1,483 passes between 0-9 yards (74.1 percent), according to Pro Football Focus. Slants, hitches and outs could build rhythm.

Conversely, we're wondering how Golden deploys the Bengals rush vs. a banged-up offensive line. Through two games, Cincinnati has blitzed on 9.8 percent of opponent dropbacks. FWIW, only Chicago has blitzed less often (7.5 percent), and Minnesota is sending an extra man on 34.3 percent of its opps.

Because team and opponent personnel dictate game plans, Golden might be wary of dialing up pressures and leaving coverage out to dry against an experienced and mobile quarterback. Truth is, rushing four can be as productive as rushing more when a defense has a player of Hendrickson's caliber.

Here's the bottom line:

Jimmys and Joes beat Xs and Os 99 out of 100 times, but coaching is magnified 100x in a battle of backups. (Similarly, then, it will be fascinating to watch what Flores does to keep Browning at bay.)

O'Connell views Golden as "one of the best defensive minds around our game."

"When you think about what he was able to do at Notre Dame, what he's been able to do in the National Football League, and then ultimately, you can see on tape, these guys are well coached," O'Connell said.

Top Quote of Week 3

Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores on if the team's mood goes down when injuries go up

"No. I think – I tell our guys, and I'll tell you guys too – I think the difference between a guy being a starter and a backup is all about opportunity. I think the talent level in the National Football League is – minus I would say the top 5 percent of guys – is fairly even. And that's the message to guys like Dallas Turner and guys like Eric Wilson. They step in, and they've practiced well, they've gone through training camp, they know the communication. It's about taking advantage of that opportunity. … Injuries happen in the National Football League. I think we all know and understand that. Attrition takes place. That's why you try to build a roster with depth. And as far as the mood, no. I think the guys are always excited to play. I thought there was energy in the building. I thought it was energy from our group. To answer it honestly, no. I don't think it brings the mood down. I think, really, more than anything, it's a great opportunity for those guys who are in those backup roles to step in and show us what they can do."

From the Inbox – by Craig Peters

Long-time Vikings fan looking for some aggression, some payback! I do not enjoy seeing my team get beat up and not punish those responsible. I believe that physicality is important to success, and being able to run the ball is the key. Now with the injuries, maybe we can get back to developing a power run game featuring Mason and two, sometimes three, tight ends. First-down play action passes to T.J., combined with using the TEs like pulling guards could give us a better chance to control the clock. K.O. is a great coach, and I am sure this is not news to him. Complementary football. Our defense might be our best unit at the moment. Fundamentals & physicality with a strong kicking game give the passing game a chance to develop while we stack wins.

SKOL,

—Larry Lujan in Henderson, Nevada

Playing on short rest is never an available excuse, especially in Week 2, but the Falcons did seem fresher and more physical at the line of scrimmage on offense and defense. Atlanta's Week 1 game ended before 3:30 p.m. (CT) on Sunday. Minnesota returned home from Chicago about 3:30 a.m. (CT) Tuesday. That's a 36-hour gap that eats into recovery and prep efforts. Again, not an excuse but possibly a contributing factor that was not overcome by the Vikings.

We'll find out shortly how the Vikings plan to approach things with Mason, who has already put together some nice runs and whether Minnesota opts for heavier personnel groupings to help accomplish that against a Cincinnati squad that lists its base defense as a nickel grouping.

The Chicago game flipped in part once the Vikings were able to start running the ball and then could build off that with the play-action passes.

Minnesota's offense dramatically needs to improve its time of possession, which at 25:18 ranks 31^st in the NFL and has a chance to do so against a Cincy team that ranks 30^th in the category at 25:30. But the Vikings will need to fix problems that shortened possessions last week and fill gaps caused by injuries.

The defense has withstood multiple injuries to some really important players but did not allow a touchdown last week until it intentionally did so to get the ball back.

Will the Vikes offensive playbook employ plays for Carson Wentz similar to Sam Darnold last year that proved successful? Both are journeymen quarterbacks.

—Morgan

I don't know if it will be similar to what we saw the Vikings have Darnold, even though there are some similarities in their playing history. Their playing styles have been different over the years.

Rob mentioned the quick game that has been part of Wentz's successes in the NFL and is part of something the Vikings might implement more to help offset injuries up front.

O'Connell said the team would have had a full menu of plays had McCarthy not been able to finish last week's game, and I'm quite certain the Vikings have worked to identify what Wentz is most comfortable with.

Wentz's experience — Sunday will be his 99^th regular-season game and 95^th start — should help offset the Vikings not having Kelly's experience at center.

Each week, O'Connell holds a "red pen" meeting with quarterbacks. He values feedback from how the practices went and offers the opportunity for a QB to strike plays from the call sheet. He said he want's this week's meeting with Wentz to be "active" and "eventful."

"Because ultimately, that's what it's all about, is calling the things that he's most comfortable with," O'Connell said. "We wouldn't have the plays in the plan if we didn't think based upon what we've seen from this defense and potentially what they could play, that we're not giving him a bunch of plays on that sheet with answers, and then it's just going to be about our execution, which has been a theme all week.

"Still being one of the few teams under 100 plays, we need to find a way to get more opportunity, more volume of plays, and stack some plays with all 11

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