Buffalo Bills Beat Vikings on MNF; Jets Next, Trade Deadline Near
The Buffalo Bills beat the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football and now turn to the New York Jets this weekend. Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas praised the run game and defense as the trade deadline and the race for the conference's top seed draw closer.
The Buffalo Bills beat the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football in Minnesota, and they now prepare for a game against the Jets this weekend. The win comes as the NFL trade deadline approaches and the race for the top seed in the conference tightens.
Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas reviewed the game on the team's "One Bills Live" show. He said the run game shone and the defense stood tall.
Thomas also discussed James Cook's performance, the upcoming trade deadline and the conference standings. The hosts then looked ahead to the Jets matchup.
Who earned the praise
Bills senior team reporter Maddy Glab handed out her weekly "Maddy Awards" after the game. The winners were Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Greg Rousseau, Keleki Latu, Josh Allen and James Cook.
Glab also honored Buffalo's run game as a whole. She singled out the consistent play of the defense.
What analysts expected going in
Before kickoff, NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell pointed to the Vikings' blitz-heavy defense as a central storyline. He discussed how the Bills offense could adjust and noted that Minnesota's quarterback situation was in flux.
Cosell also talked about how Buffalo uses its running backs, both as runners and as receivers. He described the run game as important against Minnesota.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky had called the Vikings a highly productive defense. In his weekly appearance, he said the Bills' showing against the Ravens raised the question of whether their defense is on the upswing. He also discussed moves Buffalo could make before the trade deadline.
Eric Wood, a Bills radio analyst and former Pro Bowl center, shared his final thoughts ahead of the game on Monday.
Momentum from the Ravens game
The Vikings game followed a Week 8 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium. Awards that week went to Davison Igbinosun, Tyler Bass, Josh Allen, Ed Oliver, DJ Moore, Tylan Grable, Te'Cory Couch and Greg Rousseau.
Chris Brown and Steve Tasker highlighted underrated plays from that game. They cited Geno Stone's tackle that forced a Ravens punt, a reach by James Cook to convert a fourth down, and a Landon Jackson sack.
Rookie punter Tommy Doman said his season has included limited action because of the offense's success. He also described his variety of punting methods and his chemistry with the special teams unit.
The Bills next face the Jets this weekend.
