Continuing to dominate in the fourth quarter and win tight games, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves traveling to Buffalo to take on one of the best teams in the NFL. Josh Allen and the Bills, although coming off a disappointing loss to the Jets, have been lighting up the NFL this year, boasting a league-high point differential of +12.3 per game. Minnesota faces their most difficult matchup this season by far.
On average, the Bills have won their home games this season by over 26 points. With Josh Allen set to start, this trend could very well continue. Although the star quarterback’s nagging elbow injury will place some sort of restrictions on the Buffalo offense, Allen’s running ability as well as Stefon Diggs’ ability to get open will certainly challenge this Minnesota defense. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bills have one of the best front sevens’ in the league, with Von Miller and Matt Milano shocking the world this season. Defensive back Jordan Poyer’s absence could, however, allow the Vikings wide receivers to create some separation deep.
Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook have continued to lead this Vikings offense, but inconsistency both offensively and defensively has been an issue for this Minnesota team. The team punted six times against the Commanders last week, but the players and coaches’ ability to succeed late in games allowed the VIkings to rightfully earn their 7-1 record. Defensively, while pass-rusher Za’darius Smith continues to run the show, other players including Eric Kendricks, Jordan Hicks, and Danielle Hunter have improved their play immensely. This new scheme has finally begun to settle with the Vikings defensive players, and they will need to continue to improve to give this team a chance playing at Buffalo.
In a rivalry game between the Cook brothers, a return home for Harrison Phillips, and the first matchup between superstar wide receivers Jefferson and Diggs, both sides understand the importance of this matchup in determining how the rest of the season will fare. In a physical, playoff-like atmosphere, the Vikings inability to move the ball throughout the game will allow the Bills to draw ahead, 25-13.
