Vikings sail past bumbling Bengals 48-10 in Wentz’s debut behind pair of TDs on D by Isaiah Rodgers

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Isaiah Rodgers helped make Carson Wentz’s debut at quarterback for Minnesota a rousing success, setting a Vikings record with two defensive touchdowns and forcing three of Cincinnati’s five turnovers in a 48-10 romp on Sunday for the worst loss in Bengals history.

Jordan Mason rushed for 116 yards and two scores on just 16 attempts, Will Reichard made a 62-yard field goal — the longest in Vikings history — as the first half ended and Wentz threw for two touchdowns over three quarters before yielding the mop-up work to rookie Max Brosmer.

Jake Browning was picked off twice in a rough start for the Bengals (2-1), who lost three of their five fumbles and missed Joe Burrow more than ever in their first game since their franchise quarterback had toe surgery that will sideline him for at least three months.

Wentz hit Josh Oliver and T.J. Hockenson for scores and went 14 for 20 for 173 yards without a turnover for the Vikings (2-1), who posted their most lopsided victory since 1998 and their highest score since 2015.

All the breaks in the action gave the stadium operations crew plenty of opportunities to spotlight Rodgers on the videoboard as he smiled for the camera and his teammates waved their arms around him to jokingly try to cool him off.

Rodgers sure took the pressure off Wentz, who had some early trouble avoiding the pass rush but never forced a throw or fumbled the ball in a performance befitting his 10th-year veteran status. Signed as a free agent just three weeks ago, Wentz found himself taking over the offense for the team he grew up in North Dakota rooting for after J.J. McCarthy was sidelined by a sprained ankle.

Browning, who spent his first two NFL seasons on Minnesota’s practice squad and the next two on Cincinnati’s, achieved backup status in 2023 and filled in admirably after a wrist injury forced Burrow out down the stretch. After helping the Bengals secure a 27-24 overtime victory over the Vikings that year, Browning impulsively shouted at a television camera, “They never should’ve cut me!”

Bengals: RB Samaje Perine (thumb) departed in the second quarter after he was tackled and coughed up the ball to end a third consecutive Bengals possession by a lost fumble. … TE Noah Fant, who had the ball ripped out by Rodgers to set up his second touchdown return, was placed in the concussion protocol and didn’t return. … Starting CB Cam Taylor-Britt (hamstring) was inactive. … Vikings DT Javon Hargrave (chest) didn’t return from a first-half injury.

Cincinnati plays at Denver next Sunday, when Minnesota faces Pittsburgh in Dublin.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL