Bengals’ post-season schedule became somewhat simpler following the unfavorable news of injuries.
This past week, the Cincinnati Bengals faced what many considered to be the toughest part of their schedule, yet they appeared totally unconcerned. They destroyed the 49ers 31–17, and the Bills will be their next “tough” opponent when they visit town for a Sunday night rumble in the Jungle in Week 9.
In a late-season matchup, the Bengals will play the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15 of the current season. This seemed to be a challenging game toward the conclusion of the season when the schedules were released in May.
After the Vikings started 0-3, however, it became less of an intimidating game. Then, the Vikings turned things around to get to 4-4 but now it’s all for naught as Kirk Cousins will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles.
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Vikings vs. Bengals is no longer a major matchup
Although Cousins can be a confounding quarterback at times, he provided the Vikings with their best opportunity for future success. Josh Dobbs was acquired by them before the deadline, and when the Bengals faced him in the desert early in the season, Dobbs gave them everything they could handle. Nonetheless, the Vikings lack the fear factor that they did when Kirk Cousins was leading them. That is true whether Dobbs or rookie quarterback Jaren Hall is in charge.
The Bengals’ chances of winning the division, making the playoffs, or having to play as a wild card team could all depend on this game, so it’s a good thing that it got a bit simpler. It’s regrettable, though, that a well-respected quarterback’s injury has made things “easier”.
