Vikings-Bengals Live Score Updates — Regular Season Week 1

Follow along for updates on the Vikings' 2021 opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

It's time for football. 

Time to find out if the Vikings' reloaded defense is legit, if the offensive line has improved, what Justin Jefferson has in store for his second season, and so many other storylines.

It's just one game, but the Vikings' opener against the Bengals today will tell us a lot about this team. It's a game they should win if they expect to be contenders this season, and a loss would create some early tension in a critically important season.

Minnesota's inactives for this game include Cameron Dantzler and Kellen Mond, along with injured players Anthony Barr and Christian Darrisaw. You can find the full inactives list and analysis here. Nick Vigil and Rashod Hill are in the starting lineup in place of Barr and Darrisaw, respectively.

The Bengals will be without former Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes, which is good news for Jefferson and Adam Thielen.

Even without Waynes, this game features a number of players and coaches going against their old team: Mike Zimmer, Paul Guenther, Riley Reiff, Mackensie Alexander, and Vigil.

The Vikings are 5-2 in regular season openers under Mike Zimmer, having won four straight prior to last year. The last time they opened on the road was in 2016 against the Titans, when they scored two defensive touchdowns in a win. They're wearing the purple jerseys on the road today, just like they were in that game. The Bengals will be in all white to combat the heat (high of 88 degrees).

Here's how to watch or listen to the game.

Follow along below for live updates of score changes and other big plays.

Final Score: Bengals 27, Vikings 24 (OT)

Overtime

0:00 — The Bengals kick a game-winning field goal after Dalvin Cook fumbled in Bengals territory. An incredibly dramatic game results in a loss for the Vikings.

5:24 — Each team has had an empty possession so far in OT. We're heading towards tie territory.

Fourth Quarter

Bengals 24, Vikings 24

0:00 — Wow. Greg Joseph drills a 53-yard field goal, his career long, to tie the game at the end of regulation. We've got overtime.

7:18 — Hello, Danielle Hunter. He gets his first sack of the season and the Vikings have the ball back with all of the momentum.

Bengals 24, Vikings 21

9:23 — The Vikings' offense is finally avoiding penalties and making plays. A big gain to Justin Jefferson sets up a Dalvin Cook touchdown.

Bengals 24, Vikings 14

14:13 — The Bengals' drive stalls in Vikings territory, but rookie kicker Evan McPherson drills the 53-yard field goal.

Third Quarter

Bengals 21, Vikings 14

2:24 — The Vikings have life. Kirk Cousins hits Adam Thielen for his second touchdown of the game on fourth down. Minnesota had a short field after stuffing the Bengals on 4th and 1 from their own 30. It was an odd decision by Zac Taylor to go for it.

5:31 — Absolutely nothing going for the Vikings' offense right now. Yet another penalty — this time unnecessary roughness on Oli Udoh — ruins an offensive possession and they're forced to punt.

Bengals 21, Vikings 7

9:15 — The Bengals are outplaying the Vikings by a wide margin right now. They drive down on the opening possession of the second half and get their third straight touchdown. Joe Mixon scores it. The Vikings badly need a response.

Second Quarter

Bengals 14, Vikings 7

0:35 — There's Ja'Marr Chase again. An incredible drive from Joe Burrow is capped off by a 50-yard bomb to Chase, who ran right past Bashaud Breeland. It was set up by another horrific, penalty-damaged possession from the Vikings.

Vikings 7, Bengals 7

1:47 — The Bengals' offense is alive too. Joe Burrow finds Tee Higgins for a short touchdown to tie the game. Ja'Marr Chase had two catches on third downs, and Higgins drew a big pass interference flag on Bashaud Breeland to set up the touchdown.

Vikings 7, Bengals 0

6:39 — The Vikings get on the board first. They drive 91 yards in 14 plays and finish it with a five-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen. The drive needed a crazy play by K.J. Osborn to convert a 3rd and 24 and a defensive holding call on the Bengals, but it works.

First Quarter

0:00 — This game remains a defensive struggle. The Vikings' defense has looked good, with Nick Vigil picking up a sack and Xavier Woods making a great play on third down to break up a pass. But the Vikings' offense has been awful. Kirk Cousins was sacked twice on the last drive, and they have 35 total yards through three possessions. Vikings have the ball to start the second quarter.

7:00 — The Bengals couldn't get much going on their opening possession, with Nick Vigil and Eric Kendricks making nice open-field tackles. The Vikings then got the ball back and went three-and-out.

11:44 — The Vikings are forced to punt after an opening drive that saw them get called for four — yes, four — offensive penalties. Three false starts (two on C.J. Ham) and a holding penalty on Oli Udoh. Not an auspicious start.