Buffalo Bills (6-3) – Minnesota Vikings (8-1): 30-33 AP
The duel at the top of the NFL has fulfilled all its promises. A one-sided first half turned into an unlikely second-half comeback before sending both sides into extra time. The fourth quarter was crowned by several incredible actions a few centimeters from the in-goal of Buffalo, maintaining increasing pressure until the outcome.
The key players of each formation have distinguished themselves at their (high) level, but we will certainly remember the boss format performance of a stratospheric Justin Jefferson. The young receiver will have been the key to the success of his club, succeeding in disputed and decisive catches of undeniable quality.
Statistically the two formations are almost identical, but with opposite fortunes. Buffalo continues a second setback, and loses the meeting on a muddled action. However, his displayed level of play should not cast doubt on his position as favorite for the playoffs. As for Minnesota, the team emerged victorious from a reference match, but having offered a laborious game over three quarters. Despite everything, the club grabbed its eighth success and headed firmly towards the January playoffs.
All-Terrain Bills
Quickly trailing, Buffalo nevertheless managed to establish its game and take the advantage at the start of the game. For the Vikings, TJ Hockenson (45 yards) stands out from the start and a boiling Justin Jefferson (193 yards, 1 TD) lights up the scoreboard on a 22-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (30/50, 357 yards , 1 TD, 2 INT). Yet on the side of the Bills the game is shorter and faster, and the team gradually imposes its rhythm. Devin Singletary (47 yards, 2 TD) takes advantage of a good raise and a big penalty to break through and equalize easily. The Buffalo runner even offers himself a double following a breakaway from Josh Allen (29/43, 330 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT). Finally, Cousins lights up the center on an ill-adjusted pass which ends up in the hands of the defense just before the end of the first quarter. 14-7 at the change of sides.
Even if Buffalo is well placed following the interception, the third pass in the red zone only ends with a kick which allows however to widen the gap. But the defense is fierce to hold the advantage. Aggressive linebackers and tight coverage pushed back Minnesota once it reached the red zone, the purples had to settle for a field goal. And even when Singletary escapes the leather in midfield, the defense forces a turnover on fourth attempt. Now in the last two minutes of the half, Allen is getting angry. He escapes for 25 yards, alert Stefon Diggs (128 yards), and Gabriel Davis (93 yards, 1 TD) increases the bill just before the whistle. 24-10 on the return to the locker room.
A thrilling second half
Upon returning to the lawn, Minnesota does not hide its excitement. The purple offensive is under pressure, unable to get its head out of the bag and even less to pick up the score. Adjustments on the line at the last moment, communication problems, penalties, the squad loses its footing. A panicking Cousin throws an incomprehensible pass in the short zone which lands directly in the opposing hands. The adjustments of the line are undermined by Von Miller (). The ground game is not necessary. Nothing to do, the team skates, and watches Buffalo add 3 points before the start of the last inning (27-10).
However, all may not be over. Collar blow, thunderbolt, Dalvin Cook (119 yards, 1 TD on the ground / 27 ayrds on reception) escapes along the line for 81 yards to reduce the mark. And despite a festival of Allen, Diggs and Davis, Patrick Peterson (4 TKL, 2 PD) recovers an interception while Buffalo was a few yards from the paint to kill the match. The Vikings then play their luck. A long streak of 13 sees CJ Ham cross the line on a fake play, but the conversion is missed which keeps Minnesota under pressure. 27-23, there are 4 minutes left to play, and we will still have to score a touchdown to get back in the game.
The ball is back in the hands of Cousins who has the possibility of making an improbable comeback. Under an infernal pressure, the quarterback advances his attack but collects two sacks which stop the momentum. It takes an imperial Jefferson and a big penalty to continue the series to the gates of the in-goal. The match is played on the fourth attempt and a few centimeters to go a few seconds from the whistle… No! Cousins is way too short. Everyone believes in Buffalo’s victory, but the game is not over. Glued to his line Allen tries a scramble to grab a few yards, loses the ball, and concedes an incredible defensive touchdown. 27-30 on the counter. With 30 seconds remaining, Allen must go for the field goal to take his troops into overtime. Without too much trouble thanks to preemptive coverage from the purples that were way too soft and let Buffalo get all the way up the field in no time. The game continues.
Last blow
Minnesota inherits the ball. Cook and Jefferson are asked to advance cautiously, the purples enter the red zone but stall a few yards from the promised land on a big sack. A field goal gives them the advantage, but the leather goes to Josh Allen. The quarterback advances to the opponent’s red zone, we believe in the equalizer. But such a match cannot end in a draw. Allen seeks to alert Davis full center, and the ball finished in the hands of the defense, the fans of the Bills are in shock, Minnesota has achieved an unthinkable feat.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON, BUT IT’S NOT POSSIBLE 🔥🔥😳🤯#MINvsBUF #SKOL
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— DNA of Sports.com – NFL News 🏈 (@DNA of Sports) November 13, 2022
