Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – The Buffalo Bills controlled the clock and the line of scrimmage Monday night, beating the Minnesota Vikings 23-6 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Buffalo held the ball for more than 42 minutes, compared with just over 17 for Minnesota, and ran 79 plays to the Vikings’ 46. The Bills outgained Minnesota 339 yards to 178.
Josh Allen completed 21 of 31 passes for 234 yards with a touchdown and an interception. James Cook carried the ground game, topping 100 rushing yards and scoring on a five-yard run up the middle with 6:21 left in the fourth quarter to put Buffalo up 20-6. Tyler Bass added three field goals, including a 52-yarder less than two minutes later that capped the scoring.
Carson Wentz had a rough night for Minnesota, completing 14 of 32 passes for 139 yards with two interceptions. The Bills sacked him twice. The Vikings also lost a fumble, finishing with three turnovers, and managed just 51 rushing yards on 12 carries.
Will Reichard accounted for all of Minnesota’s points with field goals of 43 and 53 yards in the second quarter. His 53-yarder with 10 seconds left in the half cut Buffalo’s lead to 10-6, but the Vikings didn’t score again.
The Minnesota defense kept it close for three quarters, sacking Allen four times and picking him off once. Buffalo led just 13-6 heading into the fourth before Cook’s touchdown broke it open.
The Bills have now won four straight and improve to 7-1. The Vikings have dropped back-to-back games after a 6-0 start and fall to 6-2.
Minnesota is back on the road Sunday, November 15th, against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is at 12:00 p.m. The Vikings beat the Packers 39-22 in the season opener at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 13th.
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