Vikings’ Isaiah Rodgers basically beat Bengals by himself

Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season is just getting underway, with the games in the early Sunday window approaching halftime.

But Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive back Isaiah Rodgers might have already locked up NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

While Sunday’s game between the Vikings and the visiting Cincinnati Bengals was billed as a battle of the backups -- with Carson Wentz starting in place of injured J.J. McCarthy and Jake Browning getting the start after Joe Burrow underwent surgery on his toe -- Rodgers stole the show with a pair of touchdowns in the first half.

Including one of the best plays you might see this week from a defensive player.

Rodgers’ first touchdown came on this Pick Six of Browning, as he capitalized on an overthrow from the backup quarterback set in motion by pressure up front from the Vikings’ pass rush:

His second touchdown, however, required a much higher level of difficulty.

With the Bengals driving before halftime, Browning looked to tight end Noah Fant in the flat. That’s when Rodgers screamed downhill and punched the football loose from the tight end, then scooped up his own forced fumble and returned it for a stunning 66-yard touchdown:

Here is another look at the play from Rodgers, as he punches the ball loose and scores his second touchdown of the day:

As if that was not enough, Rodgers had one more forced fumble in him during the first half:

Browning, after scrambling and crossing the line of scrimmage, connects with Ja’Marr Chase on a short throw. But Rodgers punches the football loose again, with Jeff Okudah pouncing on the loose ball.

Minnesota capped off that ensuing drive with a touchdown to take a 34-3 lead into the halftime break.

The first-half effort from Rodgers made some franchise history as well:

How good has he been today?

His two touchdowns are the most scored by a Vikings player so far this season.

He basically won the game by himself:

What a day.