Vikings vs Bengals Week 1 2021: Final Score 27

Final/OT2021 Week 1

Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OHSun, Sep 12, 2021, 1:00 PM ET

Minnesota Vikings vs Cincinnati Bengals, Week 1 2021

Minnesota Vikings

Away

Cincinnati Bengals

HomeWon

Scoring by quarter
Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	OT	Final
Vikings	0	7	7	10	0	24
Bengals	0	14	7	3	3	27

MIN 24CIN 27 Final/OT

Passing leader
Kirk Cousins
MIN · QB
22.0PPR pts
36/49, 351 YDS, 2 TD
Top fantasy scorer
Adam Thielen
MIN · WR
30.2PPR pts
9 REC, 92 YDS, 2 TD
Vikings leader
Dalvin Cook
MIN · RB
20.4PPR pts
20 ATT, 61 YDS, 1 TD, 6 REC, 43 REC YDS
Defensive playmaker
Michael Pierce
MIN
2 SACK, 7 TKL

Bengals 27, Vikings 24: Cincinnati wins it in overtime

Cincinnati led 14–7 at halftime, regulation ended 24–24, and the Bengals won it 27–24 in overtime. Minnesota outgained the Bengals 403–366.

The Vikings went 6-for-16 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Bengals kept the ball for 34:51 and finished without a giveaway.

Key advantages

+1 turnover margin CIN 0 turnovers

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Bengals Won

Cincinnati won the turnover battle.

Team stats comparison, Vikings vs Bengals
Vikings	Stat	Bengals
1	Turnovers	0

Other team stats
403	Total yards	366

5.4	Yards per play	5.4

75	Plays	68

38%	Third-down conversion	21%

35:09	Time of possession	34:51

Scoring Summary

The Bengals scored three touchdowns and two field goals; the Vikings scored three touchdowns and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Vikings vs Bengals
Time	Team	Play	MIN	CIN
1st quarter
No scoring
2nd quarter
6:39	MIN	Kirk Cousins → Adam Thielen, 5-yard TD Takes leadGreg Joseph XP	7	0
1:47	CIN	Joe Burrow → Tee Higgins, 2-yard TD Ties gameEvan McPherson XP	7	7
0:35	CIN	Joe Burrow → Ja'Marr Chase, 50-yard TD Takes leadEvan McPherson XP	7	14
3rd quarter
9:15	CIN	Joe Mixon 2-yard TD run Extends leadEvan McPherson XP	7	21
2:24	MIN	Kirk Cousins → Adam Thielen, 24-yard TDGreg Joseph XP	14	21
4th quarter
14:13	CIN	Evan McPherson 53-yard FG Extends lead	14	24
9:23	MIN	Dalvin Cook 1-yard TD runGreg Joseph XP	21	24
0:00	MIN	Greg Joseph 53-yard FG Ties game	24	24
Overtime
0:00	CIN	Evan McPherson 33-yard FG Game winner	24	27

Fantasy Points: Vikings vs Bengals, Week 1 2021

Fantasy leaders

Adam ThielenMINWR30.2 PTSWR4
Joe MixonCINRB25.0 PTSRB2
Kirk CousinsMINQB22.0 PTSQB13
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR20.9 PTSWR15

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	CMP/ATT	Pass YDS	TD	INT	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	Rate	Start/Sit
Kirk CousinsMINQB	22.0	QB13	36/49	351	2	0	—	—	—	106.8	Start/Sit →
Joe BurrowCINQB	18.6	QB16	20/27	261	2	0	1	2	0	128.8	Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	POS	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	TGT	REC	Rec YDS	Rec TD	Start/Sit
Adam ThielenMINWR	30.2	WR4	WR	—	—	—	10	9	92	2
Joe MixonCINRB	25.0	RB2	RB	29	127	1	4	4	23	0
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR	20.9	WR15	WR	1	-2	0	7	5	101	1	Start/Sit →
Dalvin CookMINRB	19.4	RB7	RB	20	61	1	7	6	43	0
Tee HigginsCINWR	15.8	WR30	WR	—	—	—	5	4	58	1	Start/Sit →
K.J. OsbornMINWR	14.6	WR35	WR	—	—	—	9	7	76	0	Start/Sit →
Justin JeffersonMINWR	12.5	WR45	WR	—	—	—	9	5	71	0	Start/Sit →
Tyler ConklinMINTE	8.1	TE20	TE	—	—	—	4	4	41	0	Start/Sit →
Tyler BoydCINWR	6.2	WR74	WR	—	—	—	4	3	32	0
C.J. UzomahCINTE	5.5	TE29	TE	—	—	—	2	2	35	0
Samaje PerineCINRB	3.9	RB51	RB	5	22	0	1	1	7	0	Start/Sit →
Ameer AbdullahMINRB	3.9	RB50	RB	1	4	0	2	2	15	0	Start/Sit →
Dede WestbrookMINWR	2.1	WR106	WR	—	—	—	1	1	11	0
Alexander MattisonMINRB	1.6	RB66	RB	1	2	0	1	1	4	0
Mike ThomasCINWR	1.5	WR115	WR	—	—	—	3	1	5	0
Chris HerndonMINTE	0.0	—	TE	—	—	—	2	0	0	0

Fantasy Usage

Minnesota Vikings

Snap Share

Adam ThielenWR78 snaps94%
Justin JeffersonWR76 snaps92%
K.J. OsbornWR67 snaps81%
Dalvin CookRB59 snaps71%
Tyler ConklinTE59 snaps71%

Target Share45 targets

Adam Thielen22%, 10 targets
Justin Jefferson20%, 9 targets
K.J. Osborn20%, 9 targets
Dalvin Cook16%, 7 targets
Tyler Conklin9%, 4 targets
Other13%, 6 targets

Carry Share22 carries

Dalvin Cook91%, 20 carries
Ameer Abdullah5%, 1 carries
Alexander Mattison5%, 1 carries

Cincinnati Bengals

Snap Share

Ja'Marr ChaseWR62 snaps90%
Joe MixonRB54 snaps78%
C.J. UzomahTE51 snaps74%
Tyler BoydWR51 snaps74%
Tee HigginsWR51 snaps74%

Target Share26 targets

Ja'Marr Chase27%, 7 targets
Tee Higgins19%, 5 targets
Tyler Boyd15%, 4 targets
Joe Mixon15%, 4 targets
Mike Thomas12%, 3 targets
Other12%, 3 targets

Carry Share36 carries

Joe Mixon81%, 29 carries
Samaje Perine14%, 5 carries
Joe Burrow3%, 1 carries
Ja'Marr Chase3%, 1 carries

View full usage tableHide full usage table

Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
Player	SNAPS	SNAP %	TGT	TGT %	CAR
Adam ThielenMINWR	78	94%	10	22%	0
Justin JeffersonMINWR	76	92%	9	20%	0
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR	62	90%	7	27%	1
K.J. OsbornMINWR	67	81%	9	20%	0
Joe MixonCINRB	54	78%	4	15%	29
C.J. UzomahCINTE	51	74%	2	8%	0
Tyler BoydCINWR	51	74%	4	15%	0
Tee HigginsCINWR	51	74%	5	19%	0
Dalvin CookMINRB	59	71%	7	16%	20
Tyler ConklinMINTE	59	71%	4	9%	0
Drew SampleCINTE	35	51%	0	0%	0
Samaje PerineCINRB	15	22%	1	4%	5
Dede WestbrookMINWR	15	18%	1	2%	0
Chris HerndonMINTE	12	14%	2	4%	0
Auden TateCINWR	8	12%	0	0%	0
Ameer AbdullahMINRB	9	11%	2	4%	1
Alexander MattisonMINRB	9	11%	1	2%	1
Ihmir Smith-MarsetteMINWR	4	5%	0	0%	0
Mitchell WilcoxCINTE	1	1%	0	0%	0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

PPRHalf PPRStandard

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Biggest overperformer+13.4Adam Thielen30.2 PTS vs 16.8 xFP
Biggest underperformer−4.2Dalvin Cook20.4 PTS vs 24.6 xFP
Highest expected volume25.3 xFPJoe Mixon25.0 PTS scored

Usage and expected fantasy points
Player	PTS	xFP	vs xFP	Snap%	Usage	Rte%	Pass att	Car	Car%	Tgt	Tgt%
Joe MixonCIN · RB	25.0	25.3	−0.3	78%	81% car	—	0	29	81%	4	15%
Dalvin CookMIN · RB	20.4	24.6	−4.2	71%	91% car	—	0	20	91%	7	15%
Kirk CousinsMIN · QB	22.0	21.6	+0.4	100%	49 att	—	49	0	0%	0	0%
Adam ThielenMIN · WR	30.2	16.8	+13.4	94%	21% tgt	—	0	0	0%	10	21%
Justin JeffersonMIN · WR	12.5	15.6	−3.1	92%	19% tgt	—	1	0	0%	9	19%
K.J. OsbornMIN · WR	14.6	15.2	−0.6	81%	19% tgt	—	0	0	0%	9	19%
Joe BurrowCIN · QB	18.6	12.5	+6.1	100%	27 att	—	27	1	3%	0	0%
Ja'Marr ChaseCIN · WR	20.9	12.4	+8.5	90%	27% tgt	—	0	1	3%	7	27%
Tee HigginsCIN · WR	15.8	8.4	+7.4	74%	19% tgt	—	0	0	0%	5	19%
Tyler BoydCIN · WR	6.2	6.7	−0.5	74%	15% tgt	—	0	0	0%	4	15%
Tyler ConklinMIN · TE	8.1	6.7	+1.4	71%	9% tgt	—	0	0	0%	4	9%
Mike ThomasCIN · WR	1.5	5.1	−3.6	—	12% tgt	—	0	0	0%	3	12%
Samaje PerineCIN · RB	3.9	4.9	−1.0	22%	14% car	—	0	5	14%	1	4%
Ameer AbdullahMIN · RB	3.9	4.0	−0.1	11%	5% car	—	0	1	5%	2	4%
C.J. HamMIN · RB	2.9	3.4	−0.5	—	4% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	4%
C.J. UzomahCIN · TE	5.5	3.4	+2.1	74%	8% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	8%
Chris HerndonMIN · TE	0.0	3.4	−3.4	14%	4% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	4%
Alexander MattisonMIN · RB	1.6	2.3	−0.7	11%	5% car	—	0	1	5%	1	2%
Dede WestbrookMIN · WR	2.1	1.7	+0.4	18%	2% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	2%

Team totals: Vikings 47 targets and 22 carries; Bengals 26 targets and 36 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Kirk Cousins

MIN · QB · 22.0 pts on 21.6 expected

36 of 49 passing for 351 yards, 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 21.6 expected.

Start/Sit: Kirk Cousins →

Joe Burrow Ran hot

CIN · QB · 18.6 pts on 12.5 expected

20 of 27 passing for 261 yards, 2 touchdowns; 1 carry for 2 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 12.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Joe Burrow →

Dalvin Cook Volume, no payoff

MIN · RB · 20.4 pts on 24.6 expected

7 targets (15% of the team's), 6 catches for 43 yards; 20 carries (91% of the team's) for 61 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 24.6 expected.

Adam Thielen Ran hot

MIN · WR · 30.2 pts on 16.8 expected

10 targets (21% of the team's), 9 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 16.8 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Joe Mixon Volume, no payoff

CIN · RB · 25.0 pts on 25.3 expected

4 targets (15% of the team's), 4 catches for 23 yards; 29 carries (81% of the team's) for 127 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 25.3 expected.

Ja'Marr Chase Ran hot

CIN · WR · 20.9 pts on 12.4 expected

7 targets (27% of the team's), 5 catches for 101 yards and 1 touchdown; 1 carry (3% of the team's) for -2 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 12.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Ja'Marr Chase →

Tee Higgins Ran hot

CIN · WR · 15.8 pts on 8.4 expected

5 targets (19% of the team's), 4 catches for 58 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 8.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Tee Higgins →

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Vikings defense and Bengals defense
Points allowed to	Vikings D	Bengals D
QBs	18.5	16.0
RBs	24.5	24.5
WRs	40.5	31.7
TEs	10.4	14.7

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Cincinnati opened at 41% win probability, fell as low as 19%, then rallied to win.

Bengals win probability

Key Swings

−23Cousins → Thielen, 5-yd TD43% → 20%Q2 6:39
+24Burrow → Higgins, 2-yd TD19% → 44%Q2 1:47
+28Burrow → Chase, 50-yd TD44% → 71%Q2 0:35
−28Cook 1-yd TD run96% → 68%Q4 9:23
+50McPherson 33-yd FG50% → >99%OT 0:00

Swing in Bengals win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Vikings vs Bengals
Minnesota Vikings	Measure	Cincinnati Bengals
75	Plays	68
71%	Pass rate	47%
6.3	Yds / dropback	6.8
3.0	Yds / carry	4.1
6/16	Third downs	3/14

Efficiency edge Cincinnati ran 7 fewer plays but gained 0.5 more yards per dropback.

Top targets
MIN Thielen 21% · Jefferson 19% · Osborn 19%
CIN Chase 27% · Higgins 19% · Mixon 15%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Vikings vs Bengals
Result	MIN	CIN
Touchdowns	3	3
Field goals	1	2
Punts	8	7
Turnovers	1	0
Turnovers on downs	0	1

CIN turnover edge: +1

The Vikings opened the scoring on their fourth possession, a 14-play, 91-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.

All 26 possessions, drive by drive

Drive chart
Team	Start	Plays	Yards	Time	Result
MIN	Q1 15:00	6	14	4:07	Punt
CIN	Q1 10:53	5	11	2:32	Punt
MIN	Q1 8:21	3	4	1:21	Punt
CIN	Q1 7:00	3	-2	1:59	Punt
MIN	Q1 5:01	5	-8	3:30	Punt
CIN	Q1 1:31	3	5	1:31	Punt
MIN	Q2 15:00	14	91	8:21	Touchdown
CIN	Q2 6:39	9	75	4:52	Touchdown
MIN	Q2 1:47	3	1	0:36	Punt
CIN	Q2 1:11	4	75	0:36	Touchdown
MIN	Q2 0:35	4	14	0:35	Punt
CIN	Q3 15:00	11	75	5:45	Touchdown
MIN	Q3 9:15	7	25	3:44	Punt
CIN	Q3 5:31	4	9	2:16	Downs
MIN	Q3 3:15	4	30	0:51	Touchdown
CIN	Q3 2:24	7	40	3:11	Field goal
MIN	Q4 14:13	10	75	4:50	Touchdown
CIN	Q4 9:23	4	15	2:05	Punt
MIN	Q4 7:18	3	-8	2:26	Punt
CIN	Q4 4:52	5	28	3:04	Punt
MIN	Q4 1:48	9	60	1:48	Field goal
CIN	OT 10:00	5	11	3:28	Punt
MIN	OT 6:32	3	6	1:08	Punt
CIN	OT 5:24	3	4	1:44	Punt
MIN	OT 3:40	5	24	1:52	Fumble
CIN	OT 1:48	7	46	1:48	Field goal

About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Vikings vs Bengals Head-to-Head

The Vikings and Bengals first met in 1973 and have played 16 times since.

All-time series: 8–8Series tied, 16 meetings since 1973
Postseason: 0No playoff meetings
Largest Vikings win: 48–102025
Largest Bengals win: 37–82005

Since 2021

2–1 Bengals lead

3 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. B = Bengals win, V = Vikings win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

2025 Wk 3 Bengals at Vikings, 2025 Wk 3 recap Sun, Sep 21, 2025 MIN 48 CIN 10 MIN W
2023 Wk 15 Vikings at Bengals, 2023 Wk 15 recap Sat, Dec 16, 2023 CIN 27 MIN 24 CIN W
2021 Wk 1 Vikings at Bengals Sun, Sep 12, 2021 CIN 27 MIN 24 CIN W

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Vikings vs Bengals
Vikings	Stat	Bengals
8-9	Record	10-7

25.0	Points per game	27.1

362.8	Yards per game	361.5

5.7	Yards per play	5.9

25.1	Points allowed per game	22.1

383.6	Yards allowed per game	350.8

Vikings vs Bengals Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread: MIN −3Vikings failed to cover by 6
Total: 47Over: 51 points scored (by 4)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
Team	Implied	Actual	Difference
Vikings	25.0	24	−1.0
Bengals	22.0	27	+5.0

The Bengals beat their implied total and the Vikings fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Minnesota Vikings

Against the spread: 0–1
Over/under: 1–0
ATS as favorite: 0–1
ATS on the road: 0–1

Cincinnati Bengals

Against the spread: 1–0
Over/under: 1–0
ATS as underdog: 1–0
ATS at home: 1–0

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Vikings and Bengals in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Viking or a Bengal, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Vikings vs Bengals Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Vikings vs Bengals Week 1 game?

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Minnesota Vikings 27–24 in Week 1 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH, on September 12, 2021. See the Bengals' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Vikings vs Bengals?

The final score was Bengals 27, Vikings 24 in overtime. The Bengals led 14–7 at halftime, and the second half went Vikings 17, Bengals 10 before overtime.

What happened in the Vikings vs Bengals game?

Cincinnati led 14–7 at halftime, regulation ended 24–24, and the Bengals won it 27–24 in overtime. Minnesota outgained the Bengals 403–366. Adam Thielen led all players with 9 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Vikings committed 1 turnover, the Bengals none.

What was the game-winning score in Vikings vs Bengals?

Evan McPherson's 33-yard field goal with 0:00 left in the overtime gave the Bengals a 27–24 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Vikings vs Bengals?

Adam Thielen led the game with 30.2 PPR fantasy points, the WR4 of Week 1, on 9 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joe Mixon was next with 25.0 (RB2).

Who led Vikings vs Bengals in passing, rushing and receiving?

Kirk Cousins (MIN) led all passers with 36 of 49 for 351 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joe Mixon (CIN) led in rushing with 29 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown. Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) led in receiving with 5 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Adam Thielen score against the Bengals?

Adam Thielen scored 30.2 points in PPR leagues, 25.7 in half-PPR and 21.2 in standard scoring against the Bengals in Week 1 of the 2021 season, on 9 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. He drew 21% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Vikings vs Bengals?

Adam Thielen outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 30.2 PPR points on 16.8 xFP (+13.4). Dalvin Cook fell furthest short, with 20.4 points on 24.6 xFP (−4.2). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Bengals come back to beat the Vikings?

The Bengals' chances of winning fell as low as 19% in the first half. Evan McPherson's 33-yard field goal in the overtime was the biggest swing of the game. Evan McPherson's 33-yard field goal then put them ahead for good.

Which team won the turnover battle in Vikings vs Bengals?

The Bengals won the turnover battle 1–0: the Vikings gave the ball away 1 time and the Bengals not at all. The Bengals won the game.

What is the all-time Vikings vs Bengals record?

The all-time series is tied 8–8 across 16 meetings since 1973.

When did the Vikings and Bengals last play before this game?

Before Week 1 of 2021, they last met in the 2017 season on December 17, 2017, when the Vikings beat the Bengals 34–7.

What was the closing spread for Vikings vs Bengals?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Vikings −3, making the Minnesota Vikings 3-point favorites, with a closing total of 47. That implied about 25.0 points for the Vikings and 22.0 for the Bengals.

Did Vikings vs Bengals go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 47, and the teams combined for 51 points, 4 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Vikings vs Bengals?

The Bengals covered as 3-point underdogs against the closing line of Vikings −3. The final margin was 3 points.