The 6-1 Buffalo Bills take on the 6-1 Minnesota Vikings. These are two of the best teams in the NFL record-wise, but they are from the most complete teams.
The Vikings’ offense has been asleep at the wheel all season. Justin Jefferson is on pace for a career worst year. He won’t have Kyler Murray throwing him the ball tonight, but that might be a blessing in disguise, as Murray tends to be erratic and miss open receivers downfield.
What Minnesota lacks offensively, they more than make up for it on
the defensive side of the ball. They are comfortably the best stop unit in the league, thanks in large part to their ability to prevent success against the pass. Brian Flores blitzes over 3/4 of the time, and invites chaotic play.
If there’s a quarterback who thrives in chaos, it’s Josh Allen. Allen makes play after play, usually off-script. He’s down left tackle Dion Dawkins, which might invite Allen to run more. I can see Allen and James Cook having big days on the ground, and Khalil Shakir pitching in on key third downs.
The Bills are lousy defensively. They’ve allowed 33, 31, 29, 34, and 30 points this season. So, if there was a get-right spot for Carson Wentz, Jefferson, and the Vikings, it’s the Bills’ defense that gave up 30 points to the Raiders team we just watched.
My gut says the NFC’s strength tops the AFC’s in this game, and the Vikings eke out a win. But going against Allen is asking for it.
Deep down, I think these are two overrated teams that’ll be exposed come playoff time.
