Bills Vs. Vikings Final Score: Buffalo Crushes Minnesota Late, 17-16

By Ted Schwerzler | Oct 19, 2014

Oct 19, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Kyle Orton (18) throws a pass under pressure by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

16. 60. 17. 16. Final

The Minnesota Vikings headed into Ralph Wilson Stadium to take on the Buffalo Bills. In search of their third victory on the season, and a game that could be circled as a must win, a pivotal week 7 NFL matchup awaited them. Coming in a six point underdogs, Minnesota likely had a chip on their shoulder. With the Bills looking to defend home field, and exploit a very weak offensive line, this one looked to provide plenty of fireworks.

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Scoring throughout this one would be few and far between. Minnesota would get on the board first in the final minutes of the first quarter. A Blair Walsh 40 yard field goal, would give the Vikings the first lead of the game. A quarter that was a lot of back and forth, only provided three points.

The Buffalo Bills would put the first touchdown on the board however. On a drive that was only one play, taking just five seconds off of the clock, Kyle Orton would hook up with Sammy Watkins for a 26 yard score to give the Bills their first lead of the day at 7-3.

Minnesota would answer with a touchdown of their own. With Cordarrelle Patterson finding the end zone for the first time in a matter of weeks, the Vikings would take back the lead 10-7. Bridgewater finding Patterson for the four yard score represented the rookie’s first career touchdown pass.

Just over two minutes later, with 4:01 remaining in the half, Dan Carpenter would draw the Bills even with a 31 yard field goal.

The Vikings found themselves with an opportunity to add points before the half thanks to a defense stand and good field position. On the leg of Blair Walsh, the Vikings watched as the former Georgia Bulldog nailed a 55 yarder, tying his season long, to give Minnesota a 13-10 lead at half.

Coming out in the third quarter, neither team was able to get much going on the offensive side of the ball. Sacks depleted both offenses drives and scoring wouldn’t take place. In the fourth however, the Vikings turned to Walsh again. With just under 12 minutes left in the game, the Vikings kicker hit from 33 yards out to give Minnesota a six point advantage at 16-10.

Buffalo had looked stagnant on offense all day. Fred Jackson left early with a groin injury, and CJ Spiller went down with a broken collarbone. Kyle Orton wasn’t done though and he was ready to put Buffalo on his back. Engineering a drive that took 15 plays, covered 80 yards, and left only one second on the clock, Orton connected with Watkins again to put the Bills up 17-10 and give them the lead.

Minnesota got to Orton 6 times today, with Everson Griffen registering three of them. Anthony Barr, the rookie out of UCLA also had a huge day for the Vikings. Buffalo though got it done when it mattered. Bridgewater was picked off twice by Leodis McKelvin, and he was sacked five times as his offensive line struggled again going up against a stout defensive presence.

The Vikings are on the road next week as they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while Buffalo plays on the road against the New York Jets and the recently acquired Percy Harvin.

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