Bills beat Vikings 23-6 as James Cook III carries ground game
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills overcame the Minnesota Vikings' elite defense to secure a win, while backup quarterback Max Brosmer replaced Carson Wentz late in the fourth quarter.
By Natalia Costa ·
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-6 on Monday night, extending their winning streak to seven games with one loss. The victory allowed Buffalo to retain the best record in the American Football Conference. Despite holding the top ranking in the AFC, the Bills faced their toughest defensive test of the season against a Minnesota unit that ranks as the stingiest in the league.
Buffalo's offense struggled to find rhythm, averaging a season low in points and falling below their league-leading average of 2 yards per play. Coach Joe Brady relied on quick outlet passes and a heavy running game to keep the ball moving. Running back James Cook III rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries, a volume total he has reached only once before in his career.
Quarterback Josh Allen managed the offense with short throws and scrambles, targeting 10 different receivers to avoid pressure. Allen finished with 234 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He and Cook both passed the 5,000 career rushing yards mark during the same series in the third quarter. Allen becomes the fifth quarterback in NFL history to reach that milestone.
The Vikings' offense stalled early, with quarterback Carson Wentz completing only 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards. He threw two interceptions and was sacked once. His 8.9 passer rating reflected the difficulty he faced against a Bills defense that intercepted him twice. Wentz's 38% off-target rate and 25% completion rate to wide receivers were among the worst in the league this season.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell made a strategic change in the fourth quarter, replacing Wentz with backup Max Brosmer when the team trailed by three scores. The decision was well-received by the home crowd. The change came after a listless offensive performance that contributed to the team's second consecutive loss.
Tight end Keleki Latu provided a key moment for Buffalo, catching a 25-yard touchdown pass from Allen late in the first half. It was Latu's first career NFL score. The play helped establish a lead that Buffalo maintained despite the Vikings' strong defensive effort throughout the first three quarters.
The Vikings now look to the trade deadline, which occurs on Tuesday afternoon, to evaluate their quarterback situation. They face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on a short week before traveling to Mexico City to play the San Francisco 49ers. Buffalo will host the New York Jets on Sunday.
