CINCINNATI - The defensive substitutes were slow getting onto the field. The coverage changed at the line. Confusion mounted. Somehow, the Vikings had just one guy trying to cover Chad Johnson.

Only the second play of the game, and Minnesota's defense was in trouble already.

Johnson ran past cornerback Antoine Winfield for an easy 70-yard touchdown catch, getting the Cincinnati Bengals rolling toward a 37-8 victory Sunday that amounted to their best showing in coach Marvin Lewis' three seasons.

"You couldn't have asked for more than Chad down the middle like that," tight end Matt Schobel said.

The Bengals (2-0) got everything they asked for and a whole lot more in their home opener. They dominated so thoroughly that the Vikings (0-2) were talking afterward about the need to stick together - never a good sign so early in the season.

"This looks like it will be another wonderful challenge of fix one thing, and another thing breaks," coach Mike Tice said. "That is where the job turns into a lot of fun. You have to have a reason to come to work every day. If you didn't have to work on anything new every day, your job would be boring."

Nothing is boring when Johnson is around. The chatty receiver likes to have fun and raise the ante before games, then deliver as promised. He did it again Sunday.

Johnson challenged cornerback Fred Smoot during the week, and went over to the Vikings' sideline for a few more words before the coin toss. Smoot yelled back and made a "bring-it-on" wave with his arm.

Two plays into the game, Johnson was in the end zone and the Bengals were headed for their most lopsided victory in three years. By halftime, it was all over except the trash talking - Cincinnati already had 337 yards and a 27-0 lead.

Carson Palmer went 27-of-40 for 337 yards with touchdown passes to three receivers, taking advantage of a dazed defense that never recovered from Johnson's second-play touchdown.

"It opens up the passing game," Palmer said. "When a guy gets open that early, it definitely puts fear into their hearts."

Johnson caught seven passes for 139 yards, and stuck it out until the end. He lined up behind Palmer as the quarterback went to his knee to end the game, then sought out Smoot for a warm embrace and a few more words.

"It's love, man," Johnson said. "It's the love of playing the game with the same passion as you. We had fun out there."

Well, one of them did.

"Yeah, I'm embarrassed," Smoot said. "You can't come out like this and expect to win."

The Vikings expected to be much improved after they significantly upgraded their defense in the offseason, bringing in Smoot, safety Darren Sharper and lineman Pat Williams. The plan was to balance a high-powered offense with a stalwart defense.

So far, both units have been disasters. The defense gave up 37 points Sunday, and the offense had seven turnovers.

"We have a veteran group with a lot of pride, and we're embarrassed with the way we're playing," said Daunte Culpepper, who threw a career-high five interceptions. "I'm determined to fix it. One thing we've got to do is stay together."

While the Vikings tried to figure out what hit them, the Bengals tried to act like their 2-0 start is nothing out of the ordinary - which it is, of course.

"It's impressive, but it don't mean anything yet," Johnson said. "If we're 7-0 or 8-0, then it's impressive."

Notes:

Vikings WR Nate Burleson (knee), Sharper (knee) and Antoine Winfield (foot) left the game with injuries. ... The Vikings' offense has scored one touchdown in two games. ... It was Palmer's second-best passing day in two seasons and his third 300-yard passing game. ... The last time Cincinnati had seven takeaways was Nov. 6, 1983, at Houston. ... First-round pick David Pollack lined up offside twice, negating two other Vikings fumbles.