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Cincinnati Bengals: 4 must-win games on 2021 schedule

By Leigh Oleszczak

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 4: Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after the defense makes a stop during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paul Brown Stadium on October 4, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Jacksonville 33-25. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 4: Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after the defense makes a stop during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paul Brown Stadium on October 4, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Jacksonville 33-25. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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Latavius Murray #25 of the Minnesota Vikings is tackled with the ball by Michael Johnson #90 and Clayton Fejedelem #42 of the Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Latavius Murray #25 of the Minnesota Vikings is tackled with the ball by Michael Johnson #90 and Clayton Fejedelem #42 of the Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Must-Win Games for Cincinnati Bengals in 2021 – No. 2: Minnesota Vikings

This might seem like an odd opponent to include here considering the Vikings went 7-9 and made a late season push for the playoffs last year.

The reason I decided to list them as a must-win game for the Bengals is that this is the season opener in Cincinnati and should hopefully be the return of Joe Burrow to the lineup. It could also be the first time fans are allowed in the stands and they’ll be fired up to see their favorite football team take the field again.

The Vikings are always a tough team to predict. They’ve made it to the playoffs in two of Kirk Cousins’ seasons with the team and have had really good defenses in recent years but last year they started off really slow and they couldn’t bounce back from the slow start.

Bengals fans are hoping history repeats itself here and that the Vikings come out flat in Cincy’s home opener. A win in Week 1 would go a long way for this young Bengals team to boost their confidence and with not many “winnable” games on the schedule, this feels like a must-win. Yes, even in Week 1.