MINNEAPOLIS – In an electrifying encounter at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers starred in an unprecedented defensive performance, leaving an indelible mark on NFL history.
During the time-out, Rodgers was the center of attention, visibly exhausted after an amazing defensive display.
Rodgers became the first player in league history to achieve the following feats in a single game:
Return an interception for a touchdown.
Recover and return a fumble for a touchdown.
Force two fumbles.
This impressive display occurred in the first half of the game, contributing significantly to the Vikings building a 34-3 lead over the Cincinnati Bengals.Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers celebra uno de sus dos touchdowns defensivos el domingo, ambos en la primera mitad.Originally selected in the sixth round of the 2020 draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Rodgers spent three seasons as a reserve before being suspended for violating the NFL’s gambling policy in 2023.
In 2024, he returned as a part-time player with the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Vikings made him a priority in free agency, following the recommendation of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who had observed him at the University of Massachusetts.
Flores believed that Rodgers would fit well into his aggressive defensive scheme, and the player proved it in his third start on Sunday. His dominance began in the first quarter, when he intercepted a pass from Jake Browning that had been deflected by safety Harrison Smith, and ran 87 yards for a touchdown.
In the second quarter, Rodgers knocked the ball out of the hands of Bengals tight end Noah Fant, recovered it, and ran 66 yards for his second touchdown. Shortly before the end of the first half, Rodgers forced a fumble by Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
Among these plays, Rodgers avoided a touchdown by disrupting the vision line of the Bengals receiver, Tee Higgins, on a play in the end zone.
