Analysis: What Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy can learn from watching Carson Wentz

The Vikings’ run game seemed to work as they envisioned in Sunday’s win. A big part of that? The team’s “bruiser,” Jordan Mason, who teammates also call a fierce competitor and a jokester, and who rushed for 116 yards and a pair of TDs. Read: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...

The Vikings hosted Matthew Hayball, an Australian punter who kicked for the Saints last season, for a tryout on Monday, according to the NFL's transaction wire.

Vikings guard Donovan Jackson undergoes wrist surgery, will miss next two games

Kevin O’Connell said Donovan Jackson had surgery in Los Angeles this morning on a wrist injury he suffered against the Falcons. Doctors determined he could play against the Bengals before the surgery without additional harm; the surgery timeline was planned last week.

KO says he’s “optimistic” about both C Ryan Kelly and LT Justin Skule clearing concussion protocol this week and being available Sunday in Dublin.

In a surprising about-face, the Vikings become the team they hoped to be

Five extra points: Will Reichard’s key to making 60-yard field goals? Not practicing them.

This is roughly 14 seconds of ridiculous pre-snap movement from the Vikings defense on 3rd and 9 ... starts off in a zero blitz look into a cover 1 into cover 2 man ... Greenard gets through Orlando Brown Jr. like a screen door

Dallas Turner showing up on a 2nd and 8 twist

The wide angle of Isaiah Rodgers' pick six. Levi Drake Rodriguez gets initial pressure ... Harrison Smith gets what he called an 'atta boy' pass deflection, just a nudge to Rodgers. "It's fortunate I didn't catch it," Smith deadpanned, "because I don't think I could've scored" like Rodgers

First defensive snap, Jonathan Greenard chases down Chase Brown, who had 10 carries for 3 yards (not a typo)

Vikings' run commitment included 2nd and 10 in red zone on opening TD drive. They controlled line of scrimmage on both sides. Center Michael Jurgens and right guard Will Fries throw Bengals DT B.J. Hill back five yards.

Vikings snaps vs Bengals resembles preseason game - Darrisaw played until game was won, missing four snaps before halftime to get an early jump on taping knee - Hargrave dealing w/ rib contusion - 22 snaps for No. 22 in return - Just 8 snaps for AVG, who had concussion in Wk1 + neck injury in Aug

Access Vikings postgame episode w/ @bengoessling.bsky.social and @andrewkrammer.bsky.social: Isaiah Rodgers is the runaway MVP, the Darrisaw Difference is real and what the Vikings look like coming off a big win and entering a big road trip overseas. Watch: youtu.be/-hQuY9yIiu0

My Vikings notebook • Christian Darrisaw, 332 days later and still a month "ahead of schedule" • Harrison Smith "fortunate" he didn't catch Rodgers pick six • Flags fly on offense; Jurgens details his false start • Jefferson and yards after the catch www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...

Yeah, don't fall for aggregator accounts trying to start things. Jonathan was hyped after a big win, unhappy about that quote someone pulled from a podcast segment in which I picked them to win. We talked. I explained why I said what I said. Vibes weren't great after the Falcons loss, which, duh.

Kevin O'Connell gives a game ball to Christian Darrisaw, who said today "no one expected me to be ready" by now Video via the Vikings

My Vikings notebook • Christian Darrisaw, 332 days later and still a month "ahead of schedule" • Harrison Smith "fortunate" he didn't catch Rodgers pick six • Flags fly on offense; Jurgens details his false start • Jefferson and yards after the catch www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw told a small group of reporters that the team gave him a 12-month recovery outlook for his Oct. 24 season-ending knee injury last year. "A lot of people didn't know that. Kind of antsy hearing all the noise: 'When is he going to play? When is he going to play?'"

NFC North standings w/ DET + CHI yet to play Vikings 2-1 (W v CIN) Packers 2-1 (L at CLE) Lions 1-1 Bears 0-2

We've got Brett Rypien in for the Bengals vs. Max Brosmer in for the Vikings ... two Vikings camp arms duking it out in garbage time

Undrafted rookie linebacker Austin Keys just sacked Jake Browning, forcing a Bengals punt with about 8 minutes left in this one

Vikings opening this fourth quarter with a slew of defensive starters watching from the sideline: Greenard, Van Ginkel, Allen, Smith among them Some extra rest before their European tour in Dublin and London the next two weeks

They're now up 48-3

Christian Darrisaw watched from the sideline, with his team up 41-3, as they marched down and scored another. It's 48-3 with an entire fourth quarter to play

This team desperately misses Cam Bynum

Vikings up to 5 takeaways ... we're entering 2019 Chargers territory when Phillip Rivers gave them 7

Vikings 41, Bengals 3 The current 38-point differential would tie for the 8th-most lopsided win in franchise history, per Pro Football Reference

Guard Donovan Jackson in the medical tent. He walked off with a towel over his face. Replaced by Blake Brandel, who already got a few snaps at left tackle earlier

For those that didn't hear this on the broadcast... Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers is the only player in NFL history with two defensive touchdowns and two forced fumbles in the same game. He did it in the first half.

Javon Hargrave, dealing w/ a chest injury that knocked him out of the first half, is on the sideline with his helmet. I did not see him enter that series. Christian Darrisaw, who left first half a tad early and was replaced by Blake Brandel on final possession, looks ready to go back out there

Unless I'm messing up the Pro Football Reference search, this appears to be the first game by a Vikings defender with 2+ touchdowns ... someone tell me if that's wrong

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers with two touchdowns in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals. #Vikings up 34-3 at the half.

Kicker Will Reichard sets the franchise record with a 62-yard field goal that gives them a 34-3 lead at halftime Vikings scored 20 of 34 points off Bengals turnovers

Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers gets a brief ovation from the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd after his three-takeaway first half against the Bengals

Holy $&#@, Bengals The latest Ja'Marr Chase catch was coming back because of a holding call ... then Isaiah Rodgers (AGAIN) forced a fumble that Jeff Okudah recovered. Another takeaway. Vikings defenders are fanning Rodgers on the sideline. He's on fire right now.

Vikings had 7 QB hits over first two games Jonathan Greenard's third-down tag of Jake Browning marks their sixth hit on him in this first half. There's 4:42 before intermission. Vikings 17, Bengals 3

Jeff Okudah flagged for unnecessary roughness on that hit on Tee Higgins .. right after officials missed a helmet-to-helmet hit on Carson Wentz on third down

Hargrave (chest) is questionable to return, team says

Javon Hargrave just spent some time in the sideline medical tent and is still talking to the team's training staff

Jonathan Greenard just drew a huge holding penalty that negated a 16-yard toss to Ja'Marr Chase on third down Bengals hand off on ensuing 3rd and 17, and it's another Bengals punt

Vikings defense is getting after the Bengals offense On eight dropbacks, Jake Browning has been hit four times (one sack) and had three passes deflected (one INT) Cincy has 15 plays for 29 yards so far

Bengals are challenging the spot of the ball on 4th and 1, which has already taken a long time for officials to review.

Carson Wentz takes a sack on first down ... can't find anywhere to throw on third down ... punt

It's a welcome back party. Smith tips a pass into a pick six. Now Van Ginkel gets the third-down sack, finishing what Jonathan Greenard started.

Just took a little Cincinnati Bengals to bring the vibes back to U.S. Bank Stadium

Harrison Smith just tipped a Jake Browning pass into an Isaiah Rodgers pick six

Notable that we're not seeing Harrison Smith or Andrew Van Ginkel on early/run downs

Richter looked unhappy