Buffalo pulls away after the break
The Buffalo Bills beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-6 in Week 9, pairing a heavy workload for James Cook III with a defense that kept Minnesota scoreless in three quarters. Buffalo improved to 7-1, while Minnesota fell to 6-2 with its second straight loss. The Bills led 3-0 after the first quarter and 10-6 at halftime. Minnesota never scored again. Buffalo added three points in the third quarter and 10 in the fourth, turning a four-point halftime margin into a comfortable finish.
Cook carries the load
Cook handled 31 carries and finished with 107 rushing yards and a touchdown. His volume gave Buffalo a steady offensive foundation even as Minnesota’s defense recorded four sacks and an interception. Josh Allen completed 21 of 31 passes for 234 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He added 15 yards on six carries. Khalil Shakir caught all four of his targets for 58 yards. Tight end Keleki Latu made his only target count, catching a 25-yard touchdown pass.
Bills defense limits Minnesota’s playmakers
Buffalo’s defense finished with two interceptions, a fumble recovery and one sack while allowing just six points and 126 yards. Justin Jefferson drew 10 targets but caught only two passes for 39 yards. T.J. Hockenson finished with two catches on five targets for 17 yards, while Jordan Mason gained 35 yards on six carries. The limited receiving production left Jefferson with 5.9 PPR points and Hockenson with 3.7. Cook delivered 16.7 PPR points, and Buffalo’s defense added 14.0. Allen finished with 12.9, followed by Shakir at 9.8 and Latu at 9.5.
Road matchups next
Buffalo visits the New York Jets in Week 10 after wins over Minnesota, Baltimore and Las Vegas in its three listed recent games. Minnesota heads to Green Bay looking to stop a two-game skid following losses to Detroit and Buffalo. Both games are scheduled for Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. ET.