Bengals vs Vikings Prediction 9/21/2025 Today’s NFL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Bengals vs Vikings prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, September 21st at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 3 matchup.

Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview

The Cincinnati Bengals are 2-0 this year after they defeated Jacksonville by a score of 31-27 in their last game. Cincinnati was tied at seven after the first quarter and they trailed 17-10 at halftime, but they scored 21 points in the second half and won with 18 seconds left in the fourth. The Bengals were out gained by a total of 400-350, went 6-14 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a margin of 3-2 in the game. Jake Browning went 21-32 for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, as he filled in after Burrow’s injury. Chase Brown rushed 16 times for 47 yards, while Ja’Marr Chase caught 14 passes for 165 yards and one score. The Cincinnati defense recorded one sack and two tackles for loss in the game. 

Cincinnati defeated Cleveland to open the season in week one by a score of 17-16 on the road. The Bengals are averaging 24.0 points per game with 198.5 passing yards and 47.0 rushing yards per game, while they are allowing 21.5 points against per game this season. Jake Browning has completed 65.6% of his passes for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, while Ja’Marr Chase has caught 16 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown. Chase Brown has led the rushing attack with 90 yards and one score on 37 carries. 

Minnesota Vikings Betting Preview

The Minnesota Vikings are 1-1 this season after they lost to Atlanta by a score of 22-6 last week. Minnesota trailed 6-0 after the first quarter and 9-6 at halftime, but they failed to score in the second half for the double-digit loss. The Vikings were out gained by a total of 326-198, went 4-11 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a margin of 4-1 in the game. JJ McCarthy went 11-21 for 158 yards and two interceptions, while Jordan Mason rushed nine times for 30 yards. Justin Jefferson led the receivers with three receptions for 81 yards in the game. The Minnesota defense recorded three sacks and six tackles for loss in the defeat. 

Minnesota started the 2025 season with a 27-24 win over Chicago in week one on the road. The Vikings are averaging 16.5 points per game with 127.0 passing yards and 99.0 rushing yards per game, while they are allowing 23.0 points against per game this season. JJ McCarthy is injured for this game, so Carson Wentz will be under center. Jordan Mason has carried the ball 24 times for 98 yards, while Justin Jefferson has caught seven passes for 125 yards and one score this year. 

Why the Vikings will beat the Bengals

The home team has won 14 of the 15 previous games between the Bengals and Vikings.
The Bengals have lost each of their last three September road games against NFC North opponents.
The home team has covered the spread in four of the Bengals’ last five games.
The Bengals have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five September games against NFC opponents.
The Bengals have lost the first half in four of their last five games as underdogs against NFC North opponents.

Why the Bengals will beat the Vikings

The Bengals have won each of their last seven road games against NFC opponents.
The Vikings have lost three of their last four September games as favorites against AFC opponents.
The Bengals have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as underdogs following a home win.
The Vikings have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six September games as home favorites.
The Bengals have won the first quarter in four of their last five games as underdogs following a home win.
The Vikings have lost the first half in each of their last four games.

Total Points Facts

Seven of the Vikings’ last eight home games in September have gone UNDER the total points line.
Each of the Bengals’ last four Week 3 road games have gone UNDER the total points line.

Minnesota Vikings Player Prop Facts

Adam Thielen has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last four Week 3 appearances at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Adam Thielen has recorded 25+ receiving yards in each of his last 13 Sunday regular season appearances at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Justin Jefferson has recorded 81+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Vikings’ last eight Sunday games at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Heading into Week 3, Myles Price ranks 1st in the NFC for punt return yards (74) this season.

Cincinnati Bengals Player Prop Facts

Chase Brown has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Bengals’ last four games against NFC opponents.
Tanner Hudson has recorded 10+ receiving yards in each of his last eight appearances with his team as an underdog.
Samaje Perine has recorded 17+ rushing yards in each of his last four Sunday appearances with the Bengals as underdogs.
Samaje Perine has recorded 24+ rushing and receiving yards in 12 of his last 13 appearances against NFC opponents.
Heading into Week 3, Jake Browning has thrown the equal-most interceptions in a single game this season (3 vs Jaguars, Week 2).

Matchup/League Facts

Heading into Week 3, the Vikings rank T1st in the NFL in Q2 win percentage (100.0) this season.
Heading into Week 3, the Vikings have recorded fewer total yards than their opponents in each of their last two games – equal-longest active streak in the league.
Heading into Week 3, the Bengals rank T1st in the NFL in Q4 opponent points per game (1.5) this season.
Heading into Week 3, the Bengals rank T1st in the NFL in average points against in fourth quarters this season (1.5).

David Racey is 6-3 (67%) in his last nine NFL plays this season. Click here for his premium plays for this week!

Bengals vs Vikings Prediction 

We will see both backup quarterbacks in this game, which is a very rare thing to see this early in the season. The Vikings have plenty of experience with Wentz under center and he has plenty of weapons to throw at. On the other side, we saw Browning sling the ball around last week, but he also had turnover issues. I think we will see a higher scoring game here, as the Cincinnati defense is a concern and I think turnovers could be a problem for both sides. Take the over in this contest.