One Man Just Joined Vikings Royalty
Minnesota Vikings fondly remember Randy Moss‘ breakout season in 1998 and Adrian Peterson’s single-game rushing record in 2007.
The Minnesota Vikings won by 38 points in Week 3 over the Cincinnati Bengals, and one man cemented his Vikings legacy forever.
Those performances will remain cherished in franchise history; they’re not going anywhere. But thanks to cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, another single-game feat can enter the Peterson and Moss stratosphere.
Isaiah Rodgers Earns a Seat at the Vikings Table Forever
Rodgers was legendary in Week 3.
Isaiah Rodgers Singlehandedly Wins Game for Vikings
The Vikings toppled the Bengals 48-10 on Sunday, and Rodgers alone provided enough magic to win the contest — basically by himself.
The veteran corner took an interception back 87 yards for a touchdown, scored on a 66-yard fumble recovery, forced two fumbles, tallied 3 tackles, and scored a perfect grade from Pro Football Focus, along with two passes defended.
There’s no other way to put it: the man was flawless. Utterly flawless. He could not have played better in a dream.
A Stat Line for the Ages
Rodgers’ showing in Week 2 would’ve been spectacular with just one defensive touchdown. But the opportunistic speedster — he has 4.27 speed — found himself in the right place at the right time a few times on Sunday.
Tallying two defensive touchdowns (87 yards and 66 yards), in addition to two forced fumbles, and absolutely sizzling pass coverage is just not a repeatable feat. For Rodgers or anybody.
Rodgers is not a household name in sports, but his stat line from Sunday should be viewed as an all-time great single-game performance.
On Par with Adrian Peterson’s 296
As a rookie in 2007, Adrian Peterson set the NFL’s single-game rushing record against the San Diego Chargers, complete with 296 yards and 3 touchdowns. No player has broken the record to date, and it may just live forever.
On a defensive scale, Rodgers’ output against the Bengals emulates Peterson’s 296 day. Because if it doesn’t — what does?
Offense puts butts in seats in sports, but the defense needs love, too, and Rodgers propelled Minnesota to a victory that it desperately needed in Week 3. He deserves his flowers in Vikings-themed conversations next to Peterson.
On Par with Randy Moss on Thanksgiving
Turning the clock back 27 years, Moss set the world on fire in 1998 on Thanksgiving. He posted 3 receptions for 163 yards and 3 touchdowns. It was not record-breaking, but it put Moss on the map, put the Vikings on the map, and set the tone for a Hall of Fame career.
Fans might even reference that game against the Dallas Cowboys more frequently than Peterson’s 296, possibly because it was so damn unexpected and under the spotlight of a national audience.
Again, Rodgers’ Week 3 box score is not far off from Moss’ 1998 Thanksgiving, and in fact, an argument can be made that Rodgers’ 2025 game clears Moss’ in 1998.
Other Rodgers’ Takes
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz on Rodgers: “Rodgers put together almost a season’s worth of highlights for a cornerback into one half. He became the first player in the history of the NFL with two defensive touchdowns and two forced fumbles in the same game.”
“Twice, he went for the ball and jarred it loose. Twice, he showed off his 4.28 speed in racing to the opposite end zone. But he was also sticky in coverage all game long against arguably the league’s best wide receiver duo. Rodgers allowed one reception for two yards on three targets into his coverage, and he made another key play when he broke up a jump ball for Tee Higgins in the end zone.”
Rodgers signed a two-year deal worth up to $15 million in March. He’s a steal of a deal before Week 3 and certainly after.
Ragatz added, “It was simply a sensation, unprecedented, unforgettable game from the 27-year-old corner who signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Vikings this spring. Two years after serving a season-long suspension for a violation of the NFL’s gambling policy, Rodgers was the talk of the entire football world for at least a couple hours on Sunday.”
“What he did against the Bengals is exactly why Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores was so adamant that they needed to go out and sign him in free agency.”
Rodgers won’t duplicate his Week 3 heroism in Week 4, but he’ll sure as hell try in Ireland against the Pittsburgh Steelers in six days.
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