Josh Allen faces Carson Wentz in high-scoring matchup
The league's top offense meets the top defense in a game where the Vikings will blitz on nearly three-quarters of drop-backs.
By Sarah Reynolds ·
The Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings meet Monday night for a clash between the league's most productive offense and its stingiest defense. Both teams enter the contest with a 6-1 record, setting the stage for a matchup that pits raw scoring power against elite pass rushing.
The Bills have averaged well over 30 points in their recent outings. They have reached the 30-point mark five times in their first seven games. Their offense has scored on 43 of their 70 drives that did not end in a kneel-down. The Vikings, conversely, allow the fewest points in the NFL. They lead in several defensive statistical categories, making them a formidable wall for any attacking line.
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen expressed confidence in his unit's ability to overcome the challenge. "As a competitor, you're like, 'Yeah, heck yeah!' I want to play the best," Allen said. He emphasized the desire to prove the statistical rankings on the field against a tough opponent.
The Vikings will lean heavily on their defensive strategy under coordinator Brian Flores. The team is sending an extra pass rusher on nearly three-quarters of the drop-backs they face. This rate is a league record for the past decade. Flores acknowledged the risk involved in pressuring a mobile quarterback like Allen but stated the team will not become reckless. "I don't know if we're going to go too far away from it," Flores said.
On the other side of the ball, the Vikings will start Carson Wentz at quarterback. He replaces Kyler Murray, who is sitting out this week with a hamstring strain. The Vikings' offense has struggled recently, resulting in a 19-15 loss to the Detroit Lions last week. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson noted that the team needs to fix small mistakes that have been causing them to lose games.
The Bills beat the Baltimore Ravens 36-10 last week, while the Vikings dropped their game in Detroit. The two teams last played on November 13, 2022, in Buffalo. The Vikings won that contest 33-30 in overtime. The Vikings currently lead the all-time series 9-6.
The game kicks off at 7:15 p.m. on Monday. KSTP will begin pregame coverage at 6:30 p.m. The Bills are favored by 3.5 points in the betting market.
