Geoff Hobson

MINNEAPOLIS _ A look at the Bengals' loss to the Vikings here Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

STAT OF THE DAY

Five turnovers: "The starting point for us," said Bengals head coachZac Taylor.

"Five to zero. All five in plus territory. We're going to put points on he board. Two directly led to touchdowns You're not going to go on the road in a tough environment and give yourself any sort of a chance and expect to win."

It's the stat they preached in the offseason and pulled off at a plus-one differential entering Sunday that was good for the league's top 10.

GAME-CHANGER

The Bengals came back from down 17-3 to beat Tom Brady a few years ago in Tampa Bay.Jake Browninghimself had turned a 17-3 deficit against these Vikings into a 27-24 overtime victory at Paycor Stadium in 2023.

So, they believed when they had a chance to turn the game late in the first half. Trailing by that same 17-3, they were looking to cut it to 17-10 and then get the ball to start the second half.

Browning looked at a first-and-10 from the Vikings 36 on the first play after the two-minute warning and hitNoah Fanton a short sideline route. But ubiquitous cornerback Isaiah Rodgers got a hand in to dislodge the ball just as linebacker Jonathan Greenard drilled Fant in the shoulder. Suddenly, Rodgers, who had an 87-yard pick-six in the first quarter, was gone again on a 66-yard touchdown fumble return.

"Right at the end of the half is when it snowballed," Browning said. "I kind of got into a little rhythm a little bit."

LEADERSHIP TAKE

Offensive line captainsOrlando Brown Jr.and centerTed Karrasstepped up postgame with some honest talk.

"It will be a truth-telling Monday," Karras said.

Brown and Karras told it Sunday. Brown, the left tackle, pointed to the one-yard loss running backChase Browntook on the Bengals' first snap of the game. It set the tone for a day the Bengals rushed for 53 yards on 21 carries. Brown mustered three yards on 10 carries.

"It starts with me being better in those situations. I have to executre better," Orlando Brown said. "I had two TFLs out there, especially on the first play of the game. To me, it starts with that. Just comes down to execution."

Brown and Karras were resolute they can turn it around in a week.

"We've got everything we need in here. We've got a ton of faith in every man in here to do their job," Brown said. "We just have to execute. That's an 11-man job on offense."

UP NEXT

Monday night in Mile High, scene of one of Taylor's biggest victories during the Super Bowl run. They face a Denver team the Bengals knocked off at Pacyor Stadium with a walk-off win in overtime to keep their playoff hopes alive in the next-to-last game of the season.

"We have to get ready to move on," Taylor said. "We're on a big stage next week. We're going to get a chance to redeem ourselves if we can handle things the right way."

SLANTS AND SCREENS

The coaches have been raving about second-year defensive tackleKris Jenkins Jr., and he came up big again Sunday with 1.5 sacks.

"It's a good baseline, but I have to get better," he said

Rookie running backTahj Brookshad his first NFL carry, a seven-yarder

Backup quarterbackBrett Rypienmade his Bengals debut, but didn't throw his first pass

Taylor isn't sure the status of running backSamaje Perinesinjured thumb after he left the game in the first half

Fant had three catches for 26 yards before leaving with a concussion

Right guardDalton Risner, relieved by rookieJalen Rivers, left early in the second half when he hurt his calf, but Taylor indicated he thinks he could have come back

JaMarr Chaseand Justin Jefferson squared off and both led their teams. Jeferson had 75 yards on five catches, one a big YAC for 36 yards. Chase had 50 yards on five catches