Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Regular season records: Buffalo (1-2), Minnesota (1-1-1)
In a nutshell:
The Buffalo Bills were firing on all cylinders in their Week 3 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Buffalo's offense came out strong, scoring on their first five drives. Josh Allen looked like a seasoned veteran in his second career start, completing 15 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown. The Bills possessed the ball for 35:45 on Sunday.
The Bills' defense was a brick wall throughout the majority of the day, not allowing any points until late in the fourth quarter. Buffalo's defensive unit totaled 4.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception.
The win lifts Buffalo to 1-2 on the season.
How it went down:
- The Bills scored their initial first quarter points of the season on their first drive of the day. Running back Chris Ivory was busy on the nine-play, 75-yard series, picking up five yards on the ground and 15 yards through the air. Josh Allen capped off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown scramble, the first rushing touchdown of his career (7-0).
- Buffalo set up shop deep in Minnesota territory after Trent Murphy forced a Kirk Cousins fumble midway through the first quarter. The Bills, however, picked up just four yards on the drive. Stephen Hauschka gave Buffalo a two-score lead with a 30-yard field goal (10-0).
- The Bills' defense got to Cousins again on Minnesota's second drive. Jerry Hughes forced another Cousins fumble, setting Buffalo up at the Vikings' 25-yard-line. It took the Bills just two plays to find the end zone. Allen connected with Jason Croom on a 26-yard toss to give Buffalo a 17-0 lead.
- A 55-yard Ivory reception set the Bills up in the red zone late in the first quarter. Buffalo eventually found themselves in a fourth-and-goal situation on the Vikings' one-yard-line. Allen took the ball into the end zone from one yard out, adding to the Bills' substantial first-half lead (24-0).
- The Bills capped off an eight-play, 17-yard drive with a 50-yard field goal halfway through the second quarter. Kelvin Benjamin caught two passes for 23 yards on the series (27-0).
- Minnesota found the end zone for the first time with just 2:59 left in the game. The Vikings constructed a 92-yard drive to get down the field, finishing the series off with a four-yard Kyle Rudolph touchdown. Buffalo stopped Minnesota's two-point conversion attempt (27-6).
Subplots:
- Josh Allen found the end zone through the air and on the ground in the first quarter. He became the first Bills rookie QB to score a rushing and passing touchdown in his first road start. With the rushing touchdown, Allen joined EJ Manuel and Joe Ferguson on the list of Bills rookie quarterbacks who have rushed for a score.
- Allen became just the third rookie quarterback of the Super Bowl era to record at least two rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown in the first half of a game, joining Russell Wilson and Virgil Carter.
- With the win, Allen became the first Buffalo rookie quarterback to win his first road start since Trent Edwards did so in 2007.
- Buffalo allowed Minnesota to gain just 46 yards on offense in the first half, the fewest number of yards they've allowed in the first half since December 12, 2004 (two yards vs. Browns).
- Kyle Williams played in his 170th game as a Bill on Sunday, becoming the 10th most-tenured Bill of all time.
- Stephen Hauschka hit a 50-yard field goal in the second quarter, becoming the fourth Buffalo kicker to have eight career makes from 50-yards out (joining Dan Carpenter, Steve Christie, and Rian Lindell).
- TE Jason Croom caught the first touchdown pass of his career on Sunday, a 26-yard strike from Josh Allen.
- Matt Milano recorded a sack, interception, and fumble recovery on Sunday. He became the first Bill to do this since Troy Vincent accomplished the feat on December 12, 2004.
- Rookie LB Tremaine Edmunds led Buffalo in tackles on Sunday, totaling 10.
- CB Ryan Lewis and WR Ray-Ray McCloud made their NFL debuts on Sunday.
- Inactive for the game were RB LeSean McCoy, CB Phillip Gaines, OG Ike Boettger, OT Conor McDermott, OG Wyatt Teller, TE Logan Thomas, and DE Shaq Lawson.
Up next:
The Bills will continue their tour of the NFC North next Sunday when they take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Photos from game day in Minneapolis as the Bills take on the Vikings Week 3.
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, September 23, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Jordan Johnson
