Josh Allen threw a late touchdown pass and running back James Cook carried the ball 31 times for 107 yards to lead the Buffalo Bills to a 23-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.
The win at U.S. Bank Stadium moves the Bills to 7-1, matching their best eight-game start since 1993. Minnesota drops to 6-2 after suffering its second consecutive defeat.
With Kyler Murray sidelined by a hamstring injury, Carson Wentz started at quarterback for Minnesota and finished with one of the worst outings of his 11-year career. Wentz completed 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards, threw two interceptions, and lost a fumble on a backward pass, according to ESPN.
The #Vikings now have back-to-back losses after dropping to the Bills 23-6. @tatumeverett and @nacholeber have the full breakdown of tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/VgZUR8JDon
ESPN reported that Wentz recorded a Total QBR of 2.3, the lowest for any quarterback in the NFL this season and the lowest for a Vikings player since Tarvaris Jackson posted a 1.8 QBR in 2006. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell replaced Wentz with Max Brosmer midway through the fourth quarter as the team’s offense stalled.
DAZN reported that Tyler Bass opened the scoring with a 39-yard field goal before Will Reichard tied it for Minnesota with a 53-yard kick. Buffalo took control just before halftime when Allen scrambled under pressure and connected with tight end Keleki Latu for a 25-yard touchdown.
Couldn't be prouder for his guy to have his moment đź‘Ź @BuffaloBills pic.twitter.com/ElpH7pUv8B
In the fourth quarter, the Bills drained 8 minutes and 32 seconds off the clock with a 15-play, 84-yard drive. DAZN noted that Cook carried the ball nine times during the sequence before punching it in from five yards out to extend the lead to 20-6.
The Bills held the ball for 42 minutes and 32 seconds compared to Minnesota’s 17 minutes and 28 seconds, dictating the tempo of the game.
Next up, the Bills travel to face the New York Jets on Sunday. The Vikings will look to rebound on Sunday with a road game against the Green Bay Packers.
Carson Wentz completed 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards, two interceptions, and one lost fumble before being benched in the fourth quarter.
Josh Allen giving out some souvenirs on his way off the field 🙌 @BuffaloBills pic.twitter.com/PFbSeszR9O
James Cook recorded 31 carries for 107 yards and a late touchdown to help seal the victory for Buffalo.
The Buffalo Bills play the New York Jets on Sunday, while the Minnesota Vikings face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Turnovers and miscues hurt the #Vikings as they lose their 2nd game of the season. đź“°: https://t.co/qfx0Me7hHd pic.twitter.com/QehLJmFCjm
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