Game Details
- Match-up: Minnesota Vikings (2-4) @ Buffalo Bills (3-3)
- Location: Ralph Wilson Stadium
- Date: Sunday, October 19th
- Time: 01:00 PM
- TV: CBS
The Minnesota Vikings and the Buffalo Bills have met 12 times in the teams’ histories, and the Vikings hold an 8-4 advantage in the all-time series.
Injuries
The Bills have listed wide receivers Marcus Easley and Marquise Goodwin, along with middle linebacker Ty Powell, as out for Sunday’s game. Safeties Da’Norris Searcy and Aaron Williams, middle linebacker Brandon Spikes, defensive tackle Kyle Williams, and long snapper Garrison Sanborn are all probable for the game.
For the Vikings, tight end Kyle Rudolph, linebacker Gerald Hodges, and defensive end Corey Wooton are listed as out for Sunday’s game. Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and linebacker Chad Greenway are listed as questionable. A host of others, including Linval Joseph, Cordarrelle Patterson, Chase Ford, Harrison Smith and Mike Mauti listed as probable for Sunday’s game. Chad Greenway had his first full week of practice since week 3.
Key Match-up: Viking Offense vs. Bills Defense
The Vikings offensive line once against faces one of the best defensive lines in the NFL, and they absolutely have to neutralize the rush and give quarterback Teddy Bridgewater some time to make reads and throw good passes. It is also imperative of Bridgewater to get rid of the ball quickly and not allow the rush to get to him. Buffalo’s pass defense ranks 26th in the league, but they are in the top 3 for quarterback sacks. If the pass protection can hold up the Vikings should be able to exploit a weak secondary and linebacking corps.
For the Bills to win, their defense is going to have to come out stout on Sunday and lock the Vikings offense down. The Vikings have a good defense, currently ranked #11 against the pass and #12 overall, and Kyle Orton will have to protect the ball and take advantage of any early game lapses Minnesota may have.
Players to Watch
For the Vikings you can’t just pick one player. As an offensive unit last week it was one of the worst performances in Vikings history, especially up front. The line allowed 8 sacks, and when Detroit wasn’t getting sack’s they were pressuring Teddy Bridgewater on 53% of his drop backs. The offensive line has to pass block better, the wide receivers have to catch the balls that are throw to them, the running game has to produce and, more importantly, Teddy Bridgewater will have to be quick and decisive with his passes.
For Buffalo, CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson will be looking to get a positive result against a Viking defense that has given up nearly 115 yards a game at 4.2 yards per carry on the ground. The Vikings defense can be exploited by good running backs and if these two get loose against Minnesota it could spell disaster for the Vikings.
Prediction
The Vikings offensive line is just too unpredictable, Buffalo realizes that if they can get pressure quickly it will be favorable to their defense, the defensive line is covering up for a suspect secondary:
Buffalo Bills -14
Minnesota Vikings-16