The Buffalo Bills won their fourth- consecutive game with a convincing 23-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
The Bills dominated Minnesota's backup quarterback Carson Wentz, allowing only 81 passing yards to the reserve signal caller. Wentz struggled all evening, as the Bills relentless pass rush forced several mistakes from the veteran quarterback.
Buffalo rebounded from a slow first half to control the game in the second half. Buffalo methodically worked through the Vikings' defense. Keleki Latu and James Cook scored touchdowns, which was more than enough to put the Bills in the victory column against a feeble Minnesota offense.
After another victory, here is Bills Wire's analysis of the game:
What went well?
- Buffalo finally broke through and found the end zone on their final drive of the first half. The Bills got the upper hand on Minnesota's defense with a series of quick and decisive passes. Allen was perfect on the drive, completing all seven passes. Allen broke out of the pocket and created just enough time to find Keleki Latu open in the back of the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown.
- Greg Dortch opened the game with a 58-yard kickoff return. Once again, the Bills wanted to open the game with their offense on the field.
- Greg Rousseau continued his dominant season, recording a sack in the first half. He was constantly in the backfield, recording three quarterback hits in the first two quarters.
- Dorian Williams recorded his second interception of the season. The turnover ended the most promising Minnesota drive to that point in the game. Williams' interception followed a defensive pass interference penalty on Terrel Bernard.
- Bernard made amends on the next drive, picking off Wentz for another Vikings turnover. Bernard made a nice read and undercut a pass intended for Justin Jefferson.
- Buffalo wore down the Minnesota defense. In the fourth quarter, the Bills rattled off a 15-play drive to effectively seal the victory. The 84-yard drive took over eight-and-a-half minutes to complete. James Cook scored a five-yard touchdown to push the game out of hand.
- Cook, for his part, worked through a slow first half by commanding the second half. The running back carried the ball 31 times for 107 yards and a touchdown.
- Tyler Bass had another perfect afternoon, successfully making all three of his field goals and both of his PATs.
- The Bills defense did not allow a third-down conversion in eight attempts. Buffalo gave up only 178 total yards. In addition, they allowed only nine first downs to the Vikings.
What didn't go well?
- The Bills tried to get the ground game going in the first half but couldn't move the chains against the Vikings' front seven. Buffalo gained only 41 yards on 17 rushes in the first half.
- Until the late drive in the first half by Buffalo, the Bills struggled mightily to move the ball against Minnesota. Allen was sacked three times and hit nine times in the first half. He was under quite a bit of pressure throughout the half. Four of Buffalo's first-half drives ended with punts by Tommy Doman.
- Buffalo's offensive line, a unit that was in a bit of flux due to injuries, sustained four false start penalties. One penalty took three points off the board, as Lloyd Cushenberry III's false start pushed the Bills out of field goal range.
The bottom line
Buffalo's offense slogged through a difficult game
to do enough to secure the victory. Minnesota's defense showed why they were among the best in the league. However, the Bills looked to the ground game and methodically exhausted the Minnesota defense.
Buffalo's defense, for their part, did exactly what was asked of them. They forced three turnovers. Buffalo's defense, once again, played an inferior quarterback. Buffalo did not allow Carson Wentz to find any sort of rhythm. Buffalo's defense did not make many mistakes during this game.
Buffalo benefitted from Carson Wentz's mistakes. The Bills defense did not allow any breathing room for the Vikings to gain any sort of traction.
Buffalo remains on top of the AFC playoff standings.
What's next?
Buffalo faces its division foe, the New York Jets, Sunday afternoon. The Jets (2-7) are in the midst of a four-game losing streak. New York sits in a distant third place in the AFC East standings.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Instant analysis: Buffalo's commanding victory vs. Vikings
