As home underdogs in the 2020 season opener, the Bengals led 13-6 heading into the final quarter. But the debuts of No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow and new head coach Zac Taylor were spoiled thanks to 10 unanswered LA Chargers points, a nullified AJ Green touchdown, and a missed 31-yard field goal by Randy Bullock.
In 2021, the Bengals once again find themselves as home underdogs in the opener. But there shouldn’t be as much drama in this one. The Vikings come into their Week 1 matchup with the Bengals on the right side of several personnel mismatches and it should result in them coming out of that matchup with a 1-0 record.