The Bengals dominated the Vikings in every aspect of Sunday's game in Cincinnati. The 42-14 finish was the direct result of a complete game by the Bengals offense and defense. Quarterback Andy Dalton threw for four touchdowns with wide receiver A.J. Green collecting 97 yards and two scores. On defense, the Bengals held Minnesota to 209 total yards. The Bengals defense secured three interceptions, four sacks and one forced fumble.
Vikings vs. Bengals 2013: Cincinnati blows out Minnesota at home, clinches AFC North
Our SB Nation writers are reacting to the Bengals 42-14 win over the Vikings in Week 16.
Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Spor
The Vikings dealt with four turnovers from Matt Cassel, who was coming off his best game in quite sometime against the Eagles in Week 15. The return of Adrian Peterson did little to spark the Vikings as they played from behind for the entire game and he was only able to produce 47 total yards on the day.
Josh Kirkendall of Cincy Jungle is excited about the win but more enthusiastic about a division title:
The division title is the third in the past nine seasons (2005, 2009) and the first since 2009. Cincinnati's postseason berth on Sunday was also the first time in franchise history that they've qualified for the playoffs in three consecutive years. One more note on all of that, their win over the Vikings gave Cincinnati ten wins on the season -- it's the first time they've had double-digit wins in back-to-back years since '75-76.
Heading into week 16, the Cincinnati Bengals needed one of two scenarios to play out for them to clinch a spot for the 2013 playoffs. Both required the Bengals to beat the Vikings, which they did 42-14 at Paul Brown Stadium. If the Miami Dolphins lost, the Bengals would clinch a postseason berth. That happened. If the New England Patriots beat the Baltimore Ravens, then Cincinnati would clinch the AFC North by improving to a two-game advantage with one game remaining. That happened.
Meanwhile, Ted Glover of The Daily Norseman is excited for his team’s season to come to an end:
2013 is almost dead, and I couldn’t be happier about it. What little positivity the Vikings had going for them the last four weeks evaporated completely in an embarrassing display of the ‘footy’ (H/T Mrs. Fearless Leader for almost making me choke on my burger with that gem) by the Vikings against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday in the Queen City.
After three weeks of me thinking that the Vikes might be building some momentum for 2014, and playing well enough to turn it around and head into the off season with some momentum for next year...they managed to piss it all away in one bad afternoon of football.
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