NFL: The Vikings defeat the Bills in the Game of the Year

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Posted: Nov 15, 2022 | Updated: 4 months ago

When the Minnesota Vikings and the Buffalo Bills faced off in their week 10 matchup, did anyone expect them to have the best, and maybe craziest, game of the year? It was already expected to be a good game as they are two of the best teams in the league but no one could anticipate what was about to happen.

Both teams came into the game with dominating records as the Bills were 6-2 while the Vikings were 7-1.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen came into the game with an ulnar collateral ligament injury to his right elbow that kept him absent from and limited in practice leading up to Sunday’s game. Despite his injury, Allen suited up and started the game.

https://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/story/_/id/35028417/bills-josh-allen-good-spot-playing-ucl-injury

The Bills failed to score on their first offensive drive and were forced to punt. The Vikings first offensive drive saw wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s first catch that gave the Vikings a third down conversion. The Vikings ended their first drive with points as Jefferson caught a 22-yard pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins to score the first touchdown of the game.

The Bills offense responded with a touchdown drive of their own. A 21-yard run from running back Devin Singletary set up the Bills at the Vikings 4-yard line. On 2nd & goal, Singletary rushed for 5-yards and scored the touchdown.

The Bills managed to score a second touchdown with 1 minute left in the 1st quarter. Singletary rushed for 1-yard to score his second touchdown for the quarter. With 31 seconds to go in the 1st quarter, Vikings quarterback Cousins was intercepted by Bills cornerback Christian Benford and the ball was given right back to Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

The first score of the 2nd quarter came from a Bills field goal. The Bills now had a 10-point lead. The Vikings then responded with a field goal of their own. The Bills now had a 7-point lead. The Bills scored their third touchdown of the game on an 11-yard pass from Allen to receiver, Gabe Davis.

Buffalo held a 24-10 lead heading into halftime.

The Vikings received the ball to start the half and their first drive ended with Cousins being intercepted by Bills cornerback Dane Jackson. The Bills scored the first points of the 2nd half on a 45-yard field goal to extend their lead to 27-10.

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook found an opening in the Bills defense and rushed 81-yards for a touchdown. The Bills still led, 21-17.

On the Bills next offensive drive, Allen was intercepted in the endzone by Vikings veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson. The Vikings offense responded by scoring a touchdown as fullback C.J. Ham rushed a 3-yard score. The score was now 27-23 in favour of the Bills.

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson not only had the catch of the game but he had what will quite possibly be the catch of his career on a 4th down and 18 play. With 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter, Kirk Cousins threw a 32-yard pass to Jefferson who leaped up and caught it with one hand. Despite the amazing catch, the Vikings turned the ball over on downs as they failed to score.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks for a fumble return touchdown. The Vikings now had a 30-27 lead. With less than a minute to go in the 4th quarter, the Bills executed a drive which ended in a field goal and tied the game 30-30. The game was going to overtime.

The Vikings received the ball from the coin toss and ended their drive with field goal to hold a 33-30 lead. The Bills offense then had an opportunity to score (and win). With 1:12 minutes to go in overtime, Josh Allen was once again intercepted by the goalie by Patrick Peterson.

The interception ended the game and gave the Vikings their 8th victory of the season.

This game was a back-and-fourth battle with all sides of the ball looking to one-up the other.

The Minnesota Vikings now hold a 8-1 record, they tied with the Philadelphia Eagles (who lost to the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football) for 1st place in the NFC. The Bills fell to 6-3 and are third place in the AFC East division.

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins finished the game with 357 passing yards and 1 passing touchdown. He was 30-for-50 on passing completions and attempts. He also had 2 interceptions. Receiver Justin Jefferson had 10 receptions for 193 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. Running back Dalvin Cook had 14 rushing attempts for 119 rush yards and 1 rushing touchdown.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen was 29-for-43 on passing completions and attempts for 330 passing yards and 1 passing touchdowns. He also had 2 interceptions. Receiver Stefon Diggs had 12 receptions for 128 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. Running back Devin Singletary had 13 rushing attempts for 47 rush yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.

In week 11, the Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to face off against the 6-3 Dallas Cowboys while the Buffalo Bills will face the 3-6 Cleveland Browns.

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