Backups front and center as Bengals, Vikings fight for playoff spots
Unexpected playoff implications Cincinnati’s Bengals take on the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday in a game between two seven-win teams that will rely heavily on their backup quarterbacks.
The Vikings (7-6) recently triumphed 3-0 at Las Vegas, the lowest-scoring NFL game of the season.
With two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Nick Mullens took over for Josh Dobbs and guided Minnesota on a 13-play, 56-yard drive that was capped off by a 36-yard field goal from Greg Joseph.
With scant room for error as the Vikings hold onto the scant. 6 seed in the conference heading into Week 15, Mullens was given the start on Saturday. Minnesota is trailed by a group of five 6-7 teams, headed by Green Bay.
Kevin O’Connell, head coach, doesn’t anticipate Mullens’ 18th
O’Connell stated, “I think Nick’s going to have a great opportunity.” “A difficult task. Did some really good things leading up to the game the other day in the fourth quarter, which helped us get a victory.”
The Vikings’ defense was the star last week, led by University of Cincinnati product and Cincinnati native Ivan Pace Jr. The rookie linebacker was undrafted this past spring but was given a chance to excel in the defense directed by defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
The Vikings are still in contention for the division crown, two games behind the NFC North-leading Lions in the victory column. They have a primetime home game against the Packers on New Year’s Eve in between their games against the Lions the next week and again in Detroit during the regular-season finale, Week 18.
Pace earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after posting a career-high 13 tackles at Las Vegas on Sunday and grabbing the game-sealing interception.
“He’s done a great job. The kid works hard; it’s important to him,” Flores said. “It takes a little while to just get familiar with the NFL game — the speed of it, and the wear and tear that happens to your body throughout the season. I think he’s really feeling good, really feeling confident.
“I’m excited about where Ivan’s progression’s gone, and he’ll hopefully continue to ascend.”
The Vikings are still in contention for the division crown, two games behind the NFC North-leading Lions in the victory column. They have a primetime home game against the Packers on New Year’s Eve in between their games against the Lions the next week and again in Detroit during the regular-season finale, Week 18.
Pace has 68 total tackles (43 solo), 2.5 sacks, an interception, two tackles for loss, two passes defensed, and one forced fumble over 13 games.
On Saturday, Pace will turn 23 and celebrate in his hometown while attempting to ruin Cincinnati’s chances of making the playoffs.
After suffering a chest injury in the first half of Sunday’s game in Las Vegas, wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Vikings announced on Wednesday that he intends to return.
The best receiver for Cincinnati and Jefferson’s teammate at LSU, Ja’Marr Chase, missed the first part of the week’s practice due to heel and ankle problems, but he was present on Wednesday.
Chase also grabbed five catches for 101 yards, including a 50-yard reception, and Jefferson caught five passes for 71 yards the last time their teams played.
