The Vikings face a Bengals team missing all three of its starting linebackers and both of its regular starting cornerbacks. The Vikings should be able to shake off a loss against the Panthers, beat Mike Zimmer's former team and claim a division title. Prediction: Vikings 27, Bengals 13.
Three big story lines
Zimmer vs. his old team
Mike Zimmer, whom the Vikings hired away from Cincinnati in 2014, will face a defense that still looks almost identical to the one he built. When the Bengals are healthy, they still have eight defensive starters who played for Zimmer.
thielen the top dog?
During the Vikings' joint practice with the Bengals in August 2016, Cincinnati cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick and Adam Jones refused to line up against Adam Thielen and Isaac Fruechte. With Jones on injured reserve and Kirkpatrick out with a concussion, Thielen could get the last laugh.
long-awaited return home
After three straight road games, the Vikings return to home, where they can clinch the NFC North title with a win.
