Vikings Staring Down Another Unpleasant Reunion
The Minnesota Vikings couldn’t defeat the Atlanta Falcons in Kirk Cousins’ second homecoming. This time, however, it was Michael Penix Jr. starting. The passer didn’t have too much on his plate, as the running game carried the offense and the kicking game finished the drives.
Vikings Staring Down Another Unpleasant Reunion After Romo Debacle
Parker Romo attempted five field goals in his return to the Twin Cities, and he drilled all five of them, single-handedly outscoring the purple squad on Sunday by nine points.
That hurts, especially because the Vikings employed the man last year and relied on his kicking skills for four games. He was good enough to become a folklore hero in Minnesota, but once Will Reichard returned from his IR stint, the Vikings released him. Sunday’s game was his first time kicking in the National Football League since that release; every cynical purple fan may have had to lean into an ironic laugh out loud while Romo drilled each of his kicks.
To quote Bill Belichick’s legendary “We’re on to Cincinnati” press conference, the next opponent is only six days away in the fast-paced NFL landscape. The Bengals will be the Vikings’ third foe this season, but they will look vastly different from what everyone expected when the schedule was released in May.
Joe Burrow, one of the few elite quarterbacks in the NFL, suffered a toe injury on Sunday, which will reportedly require surgery and sideline him for three months. He’ll miss the game just like he did in 2023 when the Nick Mullens-led Vikings allowed the Bengals to pull off a comeback victory.
Burrow’s backup has, just like Romo, purple roots. Jake Browning defeated the Vikings back then, and his recent game under center was quite promising, too.
Browning completed 21 of 32 passes following Burrow’s early-game exit against the Jaguars, resulting in 241 passing yards, three touchdowns (one rushing), and three interceptions. Sure, he will give the Vikings an extra opportunity or two to make a play and force a turnover, but the offense was still explosive with him on the field.
And don’t forget that in 2023, Browning accumulated 324 passing yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase made some exciting plays and helped him out just enough to win the game. Browning went 4-3 in seven Burrow-less games, completing a league-high 70.4% of his passes en route to 15 total touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Now, would the Vikings rather face the All-Pro candidate Burrow or the ex-employee who seems to hold a personal grudge against them? That’s a question they will never answer.
After his first annual heroics against the Jaguars, Browning said about his gunslinger mentality that led to a one-handed Mitchell Tinsley touchdown grab, “If you’re wearing a Bengals uniform on Sunday, I’m going to give you a chance and go down swinging.”
Last time the Vikings met Browning, it turned into his revenge game, including a viral moment of him yelling into a camera, “You should have never cut me.” He, of course, added some spice by dropping the f-bomb in there.
Later, he said that he regrets turning the game into his own redemption story rather than a team win, but it must have felt good for the veteran backup who spent a couple of seasons on Minnesota’s practice squad.
The Vikings will be matched up with the full arsenal of Cincinnati’s pass-catchers and a fired-up backup, who has shown the capability of winning games. Considering the Vikings’ struggles in recent weeks, that contest won’t be much easier, if at all, with Burrow on ice.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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