The Vikings and Carson Wentz against the Bengals and Jake Browning is probably not what CBS Sports was thinking when they sent their number one broadcast crew to Minneapolis this week - but that's the matchup Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Jim Nantz and Tony Romo may have their work cut out for them on television this week trying to figure out what each offense needs to do with the two backups taking snaps in week three of the NFL season. The challenge for both Wentz and Browning will be big ones.
But Matthew Coller of Purple Insider told WCCO's Henry Lake this week that Wentz might be an upgrade, the way young QB J.J. McCarthy started the season. McCarthy is out with an ankle sprain.
"My confidence in Carson Wentz, that he could play better, is very high," says Coller. "That he could play consistently well, is not very high. I don't think this is Sam Darnold. I don't think they're two guys in the same spot in their career. So I think the expectations have changed to now, it's going to be a real fight to even get to the playoffs and who's getting you there at quarterback is very much in the air."
The injury to McCarthy has reset how coach Kevin O'Connell is handling his quarterback room. With Wentz starting, and rookie Max Brosmer the one and two, the Vikings went out and signed former Falcon QB Desmond Ridder as insurance.
"Carson will start, Max is the backup, and with the rules that being what they are, and with the emergency third quarterback we wanted to have one," says O'Connell. "Based upon, you know, just the the early aspect of our season, we're pretty deep into some position groupings as it is. So we wanted to make sure we could at least get a guy that's played before and Desmond had a great workout."
O'Connell says Wentz had a good week and he has faith they can get the offense rolling a little bit. So far, outside the explosive fourth quarter comeback in Chicago in week one, it's been a slog for the Vikings when they have the ball. The head coach also talked highly of Brosmer, the former Gopher who they added as an undrafted free agent and impressed in the preseason.
"Yeah, excited for Carson to get a full week of preparation and the way Max has been preparing being two snaps away will probably only be enhanced," O'Connell explained. "And there's not much more room he can grow from a preparation standpoint, other than the physical reps that would come with it."
All-World wide receiver Justin Jefferson is also showing some faith in the Viking backup QB's, and says experience matters.
"Just going out there and being able to really run the show," Jefferson explains. "Coach likes to call him the point guard, because he's been in the game for a little while now, of course. He's doing the things that he had already done. This is just another game to him and then of course him being able to be in practice last week and have a couple of reps with the ones last week, it's really just another day out there with just another quarterback."
Jefferson thinks they're ready to breakout a little bit on offense.
"I don't feel like we missed the beat," he said. "Of course it's the next man up, but we feel confident in anybody that goes out there, especially with the guys that we have out there on that field."
Jefferson, who will be on the same field with his college teammate and main competition for best wide receiver in the NFL, Ja'Maar Chase, is staying positive despite the slow start for him and the offense.
"This is just another opportunity for this team to showcase the the type of players that we have on this squad," Jefferson adds. "And you know, of course our ability to score on offense and move the ball down field. So it's just another opportunity and I'm definitely excited for it."
Offensive line shuffling
The person throwing the ball is only part of the issue. The five up front protecting the QB has also been a problem. McCarthy faced pressure on 53% of his throws against the Falcons, a number no QB can thrive under. Injuries are playing a huge role there, with left tackle Christian Darrisaw still trying to get to 100% after a torn ACL. He practiced some this week but his status is still up-in-the-air. Add to that his backup, Justin Skule, is dealing with a concussion and left Sunday night's game. He's still in concussion protocol meaning we might see more of Walter Rouse, who struggled against the Falcons.
Center Ryan Kelly didn't practice Thursday and is in concussion protocol. He's likely out for Sunday. Rookie Donovan Jackson is limited with a wrist injury.
That's a lot of dinged up players on the offensive line, a spot the Vikings focused a lot of energy, draft capital, and money on in the offseason after getting steamrolled in the playoffs by the Rams.
Bengals also dealing with backup QB
Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor said that since quarterback Jake Browning has shown what he can do in the Bengals’ offense and has been a part of the organization for five years, he won’t have to change up the scheme much as Browning takes over under center for the injured Joe Burrow.
“Preparation equals confidence,” Taylor said Wednesday as the Bengals (2-0) get ready to face the Minnesota Vikings (1-1) on Sunday. “When you’ve prepared for your opportunity, then there’s a true confidence that comes with that.
"There’s nothing they’re going to show me that I haven’t watched and seen and prepared for and thought through in my head and walked through in my own. Jake is an example of someone who’s truly prepared for a moment. And so that’s where his confidence stems from. And now you just go play football.”
Browning started his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, and he joined the Bengals’ practice squad in 2021. In 2023, when Burrow missed the second half of the season with a wrist injury, Browning had a winning record (4-3) in seven starts.
Defense has to improve the run defense
The Falcons gashed the Viking defense. Over 200 yards rushing in an NFL game is almost certainly a loss, and that was the case last Sunday night for the Vikes. Safety Josh Metellus said it is unacceptable, even though they held Atlanta out of the end zone until late in the game.
"Stop the run. First thing that goes up on the board, when we come out here, get ready for camp and stuff," Metellus explained. "So, we take pride in that. You can't do anything else you want to do, all the cool stuff, without stopping to run. So that's a big point of emphasis for us moving forward, getting back to our roots, doing the things we do well, which is playing the run. And we'll get it done."
There's a chance they get linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel back. He was also in concussion protocol, but was a limited participant in practice this week. If he can go, it'll give them a boost.
Cincinnati's offense was certainly built around the arm of Joe Burrow who had toe surgery and will be out for at least three months, a devastating injury for the Bengals. Running the ball isn't necessarily what they do first or best, but they did rush for 139 yards in their win over Jacksonville last week (only 46 in their week one win over Cleveland).