MINNEAPOLIS: Buffalo did not need its offense at full speed to win on Monday night. Three takeaways and a defense that denied Minnesota every third-down conversion carried the Bills to a 23-6 victory over the Vikings, lifting Buffalo to 7-1 and extending its winning streak to four games.
James Cook ran 31 times for 107 yards and a touchdown as Buffalo controlled the ball for 42 minutes, 32 seconds. The Bills ran 79 plays to Minnesota’s 46, gradually turning a demanding defensive contest into a game the home team’s offense could not rescue.
Minnesota fell to 6-2 after opening the season with six straight wins. Its second consecutive defeat came with only 178 total yards, nine first downs and three turnovers. The Vikings finished 0-for-8 on third down and failed on both fourth-down attempts.
Carson Wentz completed eight of 25 passes for 81 yards and two interceptions, according to NBC Sports’ game report. His third quarter was particularly damaging: four incompletions and two interceptions left Minnesota unable to build sustained possession while its defense kept returning to the field.
Justin Jefferson caught three of his 11 targets for 58 yards. Minnesota’s only points came from Will Reichard field goals of 43 and 53 yards, on drives that covered nine and 46 yards respectively. The Vikings have not scored more than 16 points in any of their past three games.
Josh Allen completed 21 of 31 passes for 234 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Eight Buffalo players caught passes, including tight end Keleki Latu, whose 25-yard score was his first career touchdown. Buffalo finished with 399 yards despite facing a Minnesota defense that made its offense work for the result.
In his postgame news conference, published by the Bills, Allen credited Minnesota’s defense while praising Buffalo’s depth and its ability to finish. He said getting Cook the ball more often would make the offense better.
Tyler Bass supplied three field goals, connecting from 39, 25 and 52 yards. NBC Sports reported that the perfect night extended his run to 24 consecutive successful field-goal attempts. Cook’s rushing score supplied the other Buffalo touchdown.
The NFL’s postgame report credited Buffalo with three takeaways and described a game shaped by strong defensive play on both sides. The difference was what happened when Minnesota recovered possession: its offense could not turn defensive resistance into scoring opportunities.
Max Brosmer completed six of seven passes for 58 yards in relief, but Minnesota’s final drive ended on downs at the Buffalo 13. That brief appearance did not establish who will start the next game; a quarterback decision remained outside the confirmed result.
For Buffalo, the outcome was a fourth straight win secured through possession, rushing volume and turnovers rather than a passing shootout. For Minnesota, another low-scoring performance left its defense carrying a burden the offense again failed to ease.
