Orchard Park, NY (WGR) - The Buffalo Bills moved to 7-1 on the season when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-6 on Monday Night Football. Here are my Arrows Up and Down from the game, starting Up once again after a win:
ARROW UP
- The defense ket getting stops
Time after time when the Bills offense stalled, the defense bailed them out, including the first six Bills offensive drives when they only managed a field goal despite having excellent field position several times.
- The defense overall
For the second straight week, the defensive numbers were terrific. The Vikings had just 51 yards rushing, 127 yards passing, and 178 total yards. They averaged just 3.9 yards per play and the Bills held them to 0-for-8 on third down! Minnesota scored just six points and did not get into the end zone.
- Josh Allen’s athleticism
With the offense not having its best day, Allen found a way to make plays by using his legs and escaping would-be sacks just in time. He also ran more designed runs than we’ve seen all season.
- Dorian Williams’ interception
The Vikings had a 1st and 10 at the Bills 37, down 10-6 when linebacker Dorian Williams was running down the field with tight end TJ Hockenson and made a terrific play to leap up and snatch the ball away for a huge interception, his second this season.
- Terrel Bernard
Bernard had maybe his best game of the season, collecting a team0high 6 total tackles, an interception, a quarterback hit, and two pass breakups.
- Greg Rousseau
Rousseau collected his eighth sack of the season, and added three QB hits, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery.
- Keleki Latu’s 1st NFL touchdown
With the game tied 3-3 and just :44 left in the half, Allen stayed alive as long as possible as he scrambled to the sidelines, then found a wide open Keleki Latu, who hauled it in for his first-ever professional touchdown on just the fifth catch of his career.
- Tyler Bass
Bass was perfect again, connecting on on three field goals, including a 52-yarder, as well as a pair of extra [point attempts.
- Wide receiver screens
A play that had become very frustrating for Bills fans to see over the last couple years was one they used to get them key yardage.
- Khalil Shakir
Shakir was on the receiving end of a couple of those screens, but also finished tied for the game’s leading receiver with four catches (on four targets) for 58 yards.
- Tommy Doman, kicker
Doman was used as the kickoff man ion this game, and did an excellent job, even kicking a ball into the landing zone that scooted through the end zone, forcing the Vikings to start at their own 20 yard line. He also forced a fumble on a kick return!
- Containing Justin Jefferson
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson was targeted element times and caught just 3 passes for 58 yards.
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ARROW DOWN
- Winning the toss and receiving again
Bills head coach Joe Brady continues to receive the ball when his team wins the coin toss. Not a strategy I love, but specifically felt they should not have in this game given the Vikings terrific defense and loud environment. And the Vikings indeed had a chance to double dip after scoring on their final possession of the half.
- Run blocking, especially in first half
The Bills just could not block the Vikings in the run game for most of the game. They were averaging 4.9 yards per carry coming into the game, but just 2.2 in the first half and 3.0 overall with a total of 134 yards on the ground.
- Tylan Grable and Austin Corbett
While they both deserve respect for stepping up and filling in for Dion Dawkins and Alec Anderson, Grable and Corbett did not play well enough overall.
- Tommy Doman, punter
Doman punted five times. He did not land any inside the 20 yard line and had two touchbacks.
- Third down offense
After starting the game 4-for-6 on third down, the bills finished just 7-for-18 (38.9%).
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