Game Summary
The Minnesota Vikings (7-9 in 2020) open the 2021 regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1) with kickoff set for noon at Paul Brown Stadium. Minnesota will play the season opener on the road for the first time since 2016. The contest also marks the first time in franchise history the Vikings have played Cincinnati to open the schedule.
Minnesota last played at Cincinnati in 2013 when Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer served as defensive coordinator for the Bengals. Overall, Minnesota is 5-2 in season-opening games during the Mike Zimmer era (2014-present) and is 4-1 in the past five season openers. The Vikings are also 2-1 under Zimmer in Week 1 road games.
The Vikings offense features a similar look at the skill positions in 2021, with QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, WR Justin Jefferson and WR Adam Thielen all returning. Klint Kubiak will take over the play calling responsibility for the first time, serving as the team’s offensive coordinator.
The defense welcomes six new starters – DT Michael Pierce, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, LB Nick Vigil, CB Patrick Peterson, CB Bashaud Breeland and S Xavier Woods – and returns three Pro Bowlers from injuries – DE Danielle Hunter, LB Eric Kendricks and LB Anthony Barr. The new-look Vikings secondary, featuring Peterson, Breeland, S Harrison Smith and Woods, have a combined 419 games started. Smith is the only returning Viking in that secondary and recently inked a long-term contract extension with the club.
Vikings – Bengals game information
Vikings-Bengals series
VIKINGS VS. BENGALS ALL-TIME
Won 7, Lost 6; Home 6-0, Away 1-6
YEAR SITE RESULT
VIKINGS VS. BENGALS SINCE 1973
1973 ……………………………………………………………………………Cincinnati…………………………………………..Cincinnati 27-0
1977………………………………………………………………………….. Minnesota………………………………………..Minnesota 42-10
1980……………………………………………………………………………Cincinnati…………………………………………..Cincinnati 14-0
1983…………………………………………………………………………. Minnesota………………………………………..Minnesota 20-14
1986……………………………………………………………………………Cincinnati…………………………………………Cincinnati 24-20
1989…………………………………………………………………………. Minnesota……………………………………….. Minnesota 29-21
1992……………………………………………………………………………Cincinnati………………………………………….Minnesota 42-7
1995……………………………………………………………………………Cincinnati………………………………………… Cincinnati 27-24
1998…………………………………………………………………………. Minnesota………………………………………….Minnesota 24-3
2005…………………………………………………………………………..Cincinnati…………………………………………..Cincinnati 37-8
2009………………………………………………………………………… Minnesota………………………………………..Minnesota 30-10
2013……………………………………………………………………………Cincinnati………………………………………… Cincinnati 42-14
2017 …………………………………………………………………………. Minnesota………………………………………….Minnesota 34-7
Vikings-Bengals series notes
• The Vikings play Cincinnati for the 14th (7-6 series) time in franchise history and for the 1st time in the season opener. The lone Vikings win in Cincinnati was
9/27/92, a 42-7 victory.
• The Vikings have a 1-6 record against the Bengals on the road and are undefeated against Cincinnati at home, 6-0.
• Minnesota last visited Cincinnati in 2013 when Mike Zimmer was the Bengals defensive coordinator.
• The Vikings have played in Cincinnati in two stadiums – Riverfront Stadium (5 times) and Paul Brown Stadium (2 times; 2005 & 2013)
• Chris Doleman had 4.0 sacks for the Vikings against the Bengals in the 1989 game at the Metrodome, marking the most sacks by a Viking against Cincinnati in series history.
• In 2017, the Vikings clinched the NFC North by beating the Bengals 34-7 in Week 15. LB Eric Kendricks highlighted the defense performance by picking off Andy Dalton and returning it to the house.
