There were a few seconds left before halftime on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium and the Vikings were trying to gain a few extra yards to set up a shorter field goal attempt as time expired.
The camera briefly panned to cornerback Isaiah Rodgers on the sideline in that moment, inciting a massive roar from the home crowd, which actually prompted offensive players in the huddle to signal for everybody to quiet to down.
There was reason for the excitement as Rodgers had singlehandedly turned the game upside down with an unprecedented stretch of defensive dominance. He intercepted a ball and returned it for a touchdown, forced a fumble and returned it for a touchdown, and forced another fumble that set up a touchdown on the other end.
The playmaking from Rodgers helped the Vikings take complete control before halftime in what ending up being a 48-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
How good was the game for Rodgers? He became the first player in NFL history to record a pair of defensive touchdowns and a pair of forced fumbles in a game. He just so happened to do it all before halftime.
Never mind that veteran quarterback Carson Wentz got the start and completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Never mind that running back Jordan Mason provided a pulse in the run game, finishing with 16 carries for 116 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Never mind that star receiver Justin Jefferson and star tight end T.J. Hockenson both reminded everybody how dynamic this passing attack can be at the peak of its powers.
This game belonged to Rodgers alone.
It helped that the Vikings got off to a fast start to take the edge off, as Wentz led an efficient opening drive, connecting with Jefferson a couple of times, then finding Josh Oliver for a touchdown to make it 7-0.
That set the stage for Rodgers.
As the Bengals were driving to potentially tie the game, the Vikings flipped the script as Rodgers intercepted a tipped pass from veteran safety Harrison Smith and took it 87 yards the other way for a touchdown to make it 14-0.
After both teams traded field goals to push the score to 17-3, Rodgers struck again, this time he forcing a fumble with a perfectly placed punch, scooping the ball off the ground, and racing 66 yards the other way for a touchdown to make it 24-3.
Though the game was already well in hand for the Vikings at that point, Rodgers wasn’t done, forcing another fumble on the next possession, which set up a touchdown from Mason to stretch the lead to 31-3.
As for that field goal attempt before halftime. It ended up being from 62 yards away and kicker Will Reichard connected to set a new franchise record and make it 34-3. It was that kind of game for the Vikings.
There were a few more times after halftime the game that the camera found Rodgers on the sideline. The cheers seemed to get louder each time.
A man who existed in relative obscurity has suddenly become a household name in Minnesota.
Related Articles
The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 3: Last-minute moves
Harrison Smith and Christian Darrisaw active for Vikings against Bengals
J.J. McCarthy out of walking boot; Vikings won’t place him on IR
Vikings vs. Bengals: What to know ahead of Week 3 matchup
The growth spurt that turned Carson Wentz into an NFL prospect
Leave a Reply