Vikings-Bengals Live Score Updates: NFL Regular Season Week 15
In this week's edition of the backup quarterback battles, it'll be Nick Mullens and Jake Browning duking it out in Cincinnati as the 7-6 Vikings take on the 7-6 Bengals. It's a standalone game on a Saturday afternoon — and one with significant playoff implications.
Mullens is the fourth different quarterback to start a game for the Vikings this season, marking the first time that's happened in the history of the franchise. Kirk Cousins was playing at an MVP level for a bit, but then tore his Achilles in Week 8. Rookie Jaren Hall started in Week 9 but suffered a concussion before the first quarter was over. Josh Dobbs stepped in and lit the NFL world ablaze for two games, before regressing and ultimately getting benched last week. Now it's Mullens' turn.
The task for Mullens will be to get his playmakers — Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison, primarily — involved early and often while also taking care of the football. The Bengals' defense allows more explosive plays than anyone else, but the Vikings are 17-0 in regular season games under Kevin O'Connell when they don't lose the turnover battle. Mullens, who knows O'Connell's offense quite well, will be looking to find that balance.
The Vikings' unique Brian Flores-led defense, which has been one of the very best in the league for the past two months, will be looking to limit Browning and a Bengals offense that has scored 34 points in two straight games. This should be sneaky fun.
Follow along below for live updates throughout the game.
Final Score: Bengals 27, Vikings 24 (OT)
Live updates
Overtime
Bengals 27, Vikings 24
3:11 — Ballgame. The Bengals got a big play from Jake Browning to Tyler Boyd on third down and Evan McPherson ended it with a chip-shot field goal. That's a brutal loss for the Vikings.
6:12 — The Vikings just tried two tush pushes with Nick Mullens and didn't get it. Turnover on downs.
8:31 — The Vikings just got away with what looked like a pretty clear pass interference penalty on Akayleb Evans. There was no call and the Bengals had to punt.
Fourth quarter
0:00 — This game is going to overtime.
Vikings 24, Bengals 24
0:39 — Unbelievable. Jake Browning just chucked the ball up and Tee Higgins made an insane catch, then reached the ball across the pylon as he was being tackled out of bounds. That's an all-time highlight. This game is tied again.
Vikings 24, Bengals 17
3:48 — Oh my goodness. Nick Mullens just rolled out to his right on first and goal from the 1, threw back across his body, and hit Jordan Addison for his second touchdown of the game. The Vikings have the lead again. What a gutsy decision.
Vikings 17, Bengals 17
7:46 — All of a sudden, the Vikings' 17-3 lead is gone. This is a tie game after Joe Mixon plunged into the end zone on fourth and inches. How will the Vikings' offense respond?
Vikings 17, Bengals 10
14:56 — We've got a one-score game again. The Vikings just gave up a touchdown for the first time since the end of the Broncos game, with Jake Browning hitting Tee Higgins in the end zone.
Third quarter
0:00 — The Bengals are driving as the quarter ends.
Vikings 17, Bengals 3
4:32 — The Vikings turned the takeaway into three points via a Greg Joseph 39-yard field goal. Justin Jefferson had a couple ridiculous catches on that drive.
9:08 — That was a bad decision by Jake Browning. He just threw a ball directly to Akayleb Evans for an interception. This Vikings defense is so dang good.
Vikings 14, Bengals 3
10:46 — The Vikings have scored on their first possession in both halves today. Nick Mullens just hit Jordan Addison for a ridiculous shoestring grab that he turned into a 37-yard touchdown. That capped a 92-yard drive.
Second quarter
0:00 — It's still 7-3 at the half, with the Vikings getting the ball to start the second half.
0:31 — Unreal. Nick Mullens was getting sacked and tried to throw the ball away, but it never hit the ground and was caught by defensive tackle B.J. Hill for the Bengals' second interception of the half. Once again, the Vikings were in field goal range when Mullens was picked.
1:37 — The Vikings just got the ball back after forcing another punt. Danielle Hunter's second sack of the first half gives him 15.5 this season, making him the NFL leader for the moment.
4:06 — Nick Mullens just threw a pick to Mike Hilton at the Bengals' goal line. He also should've been picked on the second play of the drive. The Vikings went 75 yards, but get zero points out of it.
11:44 — The Vikings got lucky there. Harrison Smith bit hard on a route and Charlie Jones was wide open deep for a touchdown, but Jake Browning overthrew him. Bengals punt again.
First quarter
0:00 — After both teams scored on their opening drives, they traded three and outs on their second series.
Vikings 7, Bengals 3
2:23 — What a start for the Vikings. They just scored their first opening-drive touchdown of the season, going 75 yards on 12 plays and capping it with a one-yard Ty Chandler TD. Chandler had 46 yards on the drive and Nick Mullens was 3 for 3.
Bengals 3, Vikings 0
8:41 — A lengthy opening drive by the Bengals results in a field goal. They got a big play from Jake Browning to Ja'Marr Chase to move the ball, but the Vikings stiffened in the red zone. Danielle Hunter sacked TE Tanner Hudson on an attempted trick play.
