Vikings kicker Will Reichard thinks we’ll see a 70-yard field goal somewhere in the NFL, maybe even U.S. Bank Stadium, sooner than later.

“Guys are just getting too good,” he said after kicking a 62-yard field goal — a record in 65 seasons of Vikings football and the fifth longest in NFL history — in a 48-10 win over the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. The NFL record is 66 yards.

Asked whether his 62-yarder — a sweet little baby draw that curled just inside the right upright — had another 5 yards on it, he said, “I think so.”

The ball cleared the crossbar at least a quarter of the way up the goal post. “I really went after it, which is why you saw the little draw,” Reichard said.

Two weeks ago, his 59-yarder tied the longest kick in 100 years of football at Soldier Field. Asked what his pregame range was indoors Sunday, Reichard revealed that he doesn’t practice anything longer than 59 yards in-season.

“I normally don’t go back that long during the season just because I feel like trying 60-yarders creates some bad habits,” he said. “But I hit from 59 in pregame and saw that it had some distance left on it.”

STRIB

Sean Borman
@SeanBormanNFL
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32m
#Vikings pressures leaders through 3 games:

• Jonathan Greenard - 16 (2nd-most in NFL)
• Jonathan Allen - 10
• Javon Hargrave - 9
• Dallas Turner - 9
• Jalen Redmond - 7
• Ivan Pace - 7

You saw it twice.


Isaiah Rodgers Sr.'s 40-yard dash time is 4.28 seconds, which he ran at his Pro Day in 2020.

Strikes fear in opponents with his steely gaze and intensity....4 women at the game got pregnant from just making direct eye contact:

Damn, son.....you're a big man for that kind of movement and quickness. Plays lower and with more leverage than a 6'4" guy, he's eating out there. I see why they kept him on the active roster all of last year without playing him (or very very little), he's a dawg in the interior. Your stereotypical raw guy with upside that is realizing it and will improve. High motor.

Brian Baldinger
@BaldyNFL
.
@Bengals

@Vikings

@D_jack78 is the reason you spend a mid first round pick on a LG...He was a difference maker on Sunday #skol

https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1970087337708376338

What I love about D-Jack is he's a thick, dense dude. A true NFL OG. Kudos to the kid, great pick.

Kevin O'Connell praises Vikings' Carson Wentz

After the win, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell spoke to the media and noted that he wasn't surprised that Wentz could play mistake-free football to lead Minnesota to a much-needed win.

"When you go back, and you really go back over the timeline when he's been given really good opportunity, normally he's played really good football," O'Connell said. "And I've always been a fan of his. He's big, he's strong, he's smart, he commands.

"And I told him when we took him out of the game, I was the least surprised person in the whole building today that he was able to go out there and effectively run our offense. And I think there's a reason why he came here. He had a lot of opportunities potentially.

"So you fire away and let's rock. And that was probably as exciting as anything throughout the week, because then at that point, I knew the trust was there. We clearly trusted him to. To go play football, and he did so many good things today. And I think he'd be the first one to tell you that there's even more comfort now that he's kind of gone through a full week, played a game, and now he'll get another opportunity here."

Maybe it was being there in section 207, but it appears like he’s the real deal, no? I guess me and BFlo were on to something. 

We haven’t delivered a beat down like that since the 98 season and it’s crickets in here. Sad.

Saw someone question whether Wentz looked good or not. Well, by my calculations, that’s 4 TDs by the O in 3 quarters of football under the new Ginger Jesus and 3 in 8 quarters by JJ. Darrisaw being back definitely helped, but I’m riding Wentz until he falters. Same with Mason. 

@MaroonBells great to finally meet you and your son. It will be hard to top this weekend, but let’s all give it a shot in 26.

This should put to rest the importance of an experienced backup QB.  Wentz did a nice job managing the offense, making good decisions.
Someday we will learn of Dirty Harry's illness.  Today it did not matter. It was just great to have him back.  Tip drill!
Flo saw something in Rodgers.  We saw it today.  Wow.
Speaking of BFlo, you can see the result of purposeful coaching to punch the ball out.
Darrisaw...my gawd man, you were missed.  There was one Mason run around left end where he, Oliver and 3-4 other linemen completely sealed the corner for Mason.  It was a thing of beauty.
I thought Brandel did well in relief.
Jordan Mason hits the hole harder and faster than anyone in purple since AD.  He is our 1A RB, without question.
Will-freakin-Reichard.  Setting stadium and franchise records.  I think he is going to be rock solid all season.  That kick would have been good from 67.
Not sure what happened to sure-handed Thielen on that pass from Brosmer.  It hit his hands.  Odd.
Speaking of Brosmer...I thought Brosmer threw the ball well in relief of Wentz.  He was of course limited to running down the clock, but this game is not too big for him.
Did you see Jalen Redmond rag-doll a runner again?  The dude is strong.
Having Levi DR and Redmond as solid backups to Hargrave and Allen...seems like there is no noticeable drop-off.
"You got Ginked" was heard more than once.
I think our D backfield is just fine.  Okudah generally solid.  That Pass Interference call on Nudie was bogus, IMHO.  
The sports bar we were in has a large room/huge screen for their "big game" (okay, it's mostly a Packers bar).  I had been monitoring the GB-Cleveland game...the low score meant the Browns could still be in it.   When Cleveland tied it up, I showed one of my buddies who was not watching that score and he said "that's why that room has been so quiet!"
When the Pack got close and went to kick the FG for the win...the room was getting crowded.  When Cleveland blocked it, the place ERUPTED.  And when the Browns kicker who needs a vowel made the 55-ish kick, the decibel level went through the roof.
I loved seeing the Packers eat some humble pie.  You did too.
The mood difference from last Sunday night to this afternoon was 180 degrees.  Just like the NFC North standings. 
I hate the Cowboys.  Really happy for the spanking they put on Jerruh's boys today in Chicago.  But Caleb Williams still overthrew too many wide open receivers.
Zavier Scott had a nice run called back...he's a solid addition.
I need to voice concerns about Aaron Jones.  Last week, he seemed to disappear before getting hurt.  Mason brings a different dynamic.  Was last season an anomaly (in terms of Jones' health?)
Welcome back Cam Akers.  
It's nice to see Speedy catch anything thrown his way.  A big difference from last year.  It instills confidence.
Oh wait...you mean Addison comes back next week?  Wow.
Justin Jefferson > J'Marr Chase
Purple People Eaters was a classic name for the Vikings of old.  Having watched this whole game's turnovers, this team could be The Ball Hogs.
I have been critical at times in years past when we would get a lead and we wouldn't step on their neck and finish 'em off.  There was something about KOC's post-game comments that was very clear...this was not a thing of beauty to admire and walk away...he really seemed focused on taking this as a 180 differential from last week and that they are going to build on this each week.  There was something different.
See y'all next Sunday morning!