Vikings @ Bills
Final Score: Vikings 33, Bills 30 (OT)
Writer: Brennan Rampe (@phdinnfl on Twitter)
This was the biggest heart attack yet in a season full of them! After trailing 27-10 into the third quarter with Josh Allen playing and looking like his usual self, Dalvin Cook broke loose for an 81-yard touchdown run, and everything changed from there. Buffalo immediately went down the field on a 6-minute long drive but Patrick Peterson came up with one of his two crucial interceptions and ran it back 39 yards to set up Minnesota with good field position. The Vikings went on a nearly 6-minute long drive themselves which culminated in a touchdown by C.J. Ham. The extra point was missed, and Buffalo held a 27-23 lead. The game really got crazy from here out, as the Vikings went on a 12-play, 75-yard drive which ended in Kirk Cousins being ruled down half a yard short on 4th and goal. The game looked to be over! On the very next play, Allen tried to get the ball out of the end zone to avoid a safety.
Instead, he fumbled it and Eric Kendricks pounced on it for the touchdown! 30-27 Vikings! I knew it wasn’t over as there were about 30 seconds left and the Bills just needed a field goal to send the game to overtime. They went 69 yards down the field, but Gabriel Davis had a catch that should have been ruled incomplete. Tyler Bass’s attempt was good and it went into overtime. Minnesota won the toss and had a 6:18-long drive which only resulted in a field goal. I was getting ready for heartbreak as Allen once again marched Buffalo down the field but on 2nd and 10 at the Vikings’ 20-yard line, an ill-advised pass ended up in Peterson’s hands again, and the Vikings completed the wild comeback. It was their fifth fourth-quarter comeback and they handed the Bills their first loss at home.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins: 30/50, 357 Yards, TD, 2 INT | 6 Carries, 12 Yards
It seemed like Kirk Cousins was primed to have another good game as he threw a touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson on Minnesota’s opening drive. That was the highlight of the first half for him, as the remaining five possessions only resulted in a field goal. One of those possessions resulted in his first interception, which was an overthrown ball. His troubles followed him into the third quarter when he threw a pass right to Bills cornerback Dane Jackson. After that, he turned it up a notch and made several key plays down the stretch. The only bad thing that he did in the second half and overtime was falling just short of the goal line on a sneak at the end of regulation. He took a lot of big hits and was sacked four times, but kept getting back up. His toughness and leadership were on full display. In overtime, he marched the team down the field which led to Greg Joseph’s go-ahead field goal. It was his best performance of the year in a hostile building when the game looked out of reach.
Running Back
Dalvin Cook: 14 Carries, 119 Yards, TD | 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 27 Yards | 2 Fumble (Recovered)
Alexander Mattison: 3 Carries, 11 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
C.J. Ham: 1 Carry, 3 Yards, TD
The running game was largely ineffective in regulation. Dalvin Cook was the leading rusher and went over 100 yards, but 81 of his 119 yards came on one play. His touchdown run set the comeback in motion and in overtime, he had several rush attempts that went for about 10 yards per carry. He also was a key blocker and kept Cousins from taking several big hits. Alexander Mattison wasn’t on the field a whole lot and didn’t accomplish much. C.J. Ham made the most of his one carry as it was his first rushing touchdown in five years.
Look at @dalvincook GO!!!
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/iWY1zOjbdi
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 13, 2022
We love a good fullback TD@cjham28
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/906Xu58d4r
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 13, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Justin Jefferson: 16 Targets, 10 Receptions, 193 Yards, TD
Adam Thielen: 7 Targets, 5 Receptions, 49 Yards
K.J. Osborn: 1 Carry, 2 Yards | 11 Targets, 4 Receptions, 35 Yards
T.J. Hockenson: 10 Targets, 7 Receptions, 45 Yards
Justin Jefferson continues to show why he is arguably the best wide receiver in the league right now. He set a new career high in receiving yards and became the first player in NFL history to have 20 games with over 100 receiving yards through three seasons. He was a third-down conversion machine, and he scored his touchdown on Minnesota’s opening drive. Even though the drive ended with a turnover on downs, he had a catch on a 4th-and-18 that was just ridiculous. I believe he is a generational talent. Adam Thielen caught five out of seven targets and had some key conversions. K.J. Osborn was covered well most of the day, which explains the disparity between targets and receptions. T.J. Hockenson continues to be a significant presence in the passing game, converting several key third downs. This was a genius trade.
Beautiful pitch and catch@KirkCousins8 @JJettas2
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/YPfNzOQtbO
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 13, 2022
Just throw it to @JJettas2
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/iOzht9ddoU
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 13, 2022
Buffalo Bills
Quarterback
Josh Allen: 29/43, 330 Yards, TD, 2 INT | 6 Carries, 84 Yards, 1 Fumble (Lost)
We didn’t even know if Josh Allen was going to play, but he played and played mostly well. He looked like an MVP candidate throughout most of the game, but those two end-zone interceptions were the difference. He wasn’t afraid to run when he needed to, and he was actually Buffalo’s leading rusher. He picked up several third downs with his legs. He showed no signs of having an elbow injury and was making his usual plays while on the run. He’s right up there with Patrick Mahomes when it comes to the best quarterback in the league right now.
What a snag ‼️
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/vCgJGyLrxw
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 13, 2022
Running Back
Devin Singletary: 13 Carries, 47 Yards, 2 TD | 2 Targets, 1 Reception | 1 Fumble (Lost)
James Cook: 5 Carries, 22 Yards
Duke Johnson: 2 Carries, 4 Yards
Nyheim Hines: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Buffalo’s running game was ineffective, just like the Vikings. They did manage to get their entire backfield involved, as everyone had the ball once. Devin Singletary had two touchdowns but also had one fumble. The fumble was controversial as the replay seemed to indicate that he was down. James Cook had the second-most carries and is likely to have a bigger role in the offense as the season progresses. Duke Johnson didn’t have many rushing yards but did have several kickoff returns. Nyheim Hines caught his one target and that was about it for him.
Feed @motorsingletary!
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/IB3McysnLy
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 13, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Stefon Diggs: 16 Targets, 12 Receptions, 128 Yards
Gabe Davis: 9 Targets, 6 Receptions, 93 Yards, TD
Isaiah McKenzie: 1 Carry, 18 Yards | 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 37 Yards
Khalil Shakir: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Dawson Knox: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 57 Yards
Stefon Diggs was the leading wide receiver for the Bills in this game, and he showed up against his former team. Gabriel Davis contributed as well with 93 yards and one receiving touchdown. Isaiah McKenzie caught all but one of his targets. The broadcast crew mentioned how the emergence of Davis and McKenzie will be crucial for Buffalo’s future. Dawson Knox hauled in four of his six targets but never found the end zone.