Written By Sam Ekstrom
LAST WEEK
The Vikings fell behind early against the Detroit Lions and never recovered, losing 17-3 to their divisional foe. Teddy Bridgewater took a step backward by throwing three interceptions, and the offensive line allowed eight sacks.
The Bills also played a divisional game and had a similar result. Despite 299 passing yards from Kyle Orton, Buffalo was never able to secure a lead against the New England Patriots as Tom Brady threw for 361 yards of his own in a 37-22 Patriots win.
RECENT MEETINGS
The last time the Bills and Vikings met, Dec. 5, 2010, it turned out to be the final game of Brett Favre’s illustrious consecutive starts streak. Favre injured his ankle on the first series of the game, but backup Tarvaris Jackson still led the Vikings to a 38-14 blowout of the Bills.
In 2006, the last time the Vikings played a regular season game in Buffalo, Brad Johnson was at the helm at quarterback and Brad Childress was in his first year as head coach. Minnesota only managed 12 points and couldn’t convert on a last-second redzone possession, losing 17-12.
Going back to 2002, the Vikings lost an unpredictable overtime shootout 45-39 to the Drew Bledsoe-led Bills. This was the infamous game in which Doug Brien inexplicably missed two extra points in regulation and was cut after the game. Daunte Culpepper threw for 281 yards.
The Vikings have an 8-4 all-time record against the Bills, the only winning mark they have against an AFC East team.
COMMON CONNECTIONS
Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards filled the same role at Buffalo for two seasons before being fired after the 2011-12 season.
Superb special teamer Larry Dean didn’t make the Vikings’ final 53-man roster this season and jumped ship to Buffalo after three season in purple. He’s appeared in four games thus far for the Bills.
WILL THE REAL O-LINE PLEASE STAND UP?
“I have an interesting stat for you,” said head coach Mike Zimmer on Wednesday. “I’ve talked a lot about winning and losing and what causes you to win and what good teams do and bad teams do, and the two games we’ve won we’ve had no turnovers and no sacks.”
Unfortunately, in the four losses, the team has 10 turnovers and 22 sacks, and in the last two games: six turnovers and 14 sacks.
Zimmer identified many breakdowns in last week’s eight-sack fiasco against Detroit. “Well, one time we held the ball too long, one time we got the protection the wrong way. There were some times we got beat, one time a guy tripped on another guy and fell backwards, and the guy sacked him. It was a number of different things.”
Like the Lions, the Bills provide another big challenge with their front four. Their defense has 19 sacks, tied for second most in the NFL. Their right defensive end is Mario Williams, the former no. 1 overall pick, whose career has been revived in Buffalo after several declining seasons in Houston. Williams had 23.5 sacks combined during his first two seasons in Buffalo and has 4.5 through six games this season. He’ll be matched up against struggling left tackle Matt Kalil.
“We’re going to block better,” said Zimmer emphatically.
Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater took some blame as well for last Sunday’s performance.
“There were multiple times on Sunday where I found myself holding on to the ball,” said Bridgewater, “where a guy was running wide open down the field or across the field wide open.”
Sunday’s game will be a major indication of whether the current offensive line will stay intact. Zimmer hasn’t ruled out the possibility of shaking things up.
“It’s a tough call, but we have to do what’s best, what we feel like is best for the football team,” said Zimmer. “It doesn’t mean we are going to make any [changes], it just means that we’re continually giving guys the opportunity.”
A BREAK FROM THE QB GAUNTLET
Brady, Brees, Ryan, Rodgers, Stafford – those are the last five quarterbacks the Vikings have faced. After going 1-4 against some of the best passers in the league, the Vikings’ defense has to be appreciative to be facing 31-year-old journeyman Kyle Orton, now playing for his fifth team.
The Vikings have to be careful not to overlook him, though.
“He’s been pretty proficient with the ball,” said Zimmer. “He only had an interception against Detroit for a touchdown. He gets the ball out quick. I think he understands the reads and the protections pretty good as far as being there for only a month or so.”
Orton replaced second-year quarterback E.J. Manuel after Manuel struggled in losses to San Diego and Houston. He led a 14-point come-from-behind victory in his first start against Detroit.
INJURY REPORT
The Vikings may be in dire straits at the linebacker position. Fill-in outside linebacker Gerald Hodges has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and incumbent Chad Greenway’s status is up in the air as he recovers from hand and rib breaks.
Greenway has said the rib is more bothersome than the hand and that he’s also been fatigued at times during his rehab due to inactivity. If he plays, Greenway said he’ll be wearing some kind of extra torso protection.
Audie Cole and Michael Mauti would be in the running to start on the weak side if Greenway can’t go.
Elsewhere, defensive end Corey Wootton has also been ruled out with a back injury.
For Buffalo, wide receivers Marquise Goodwin and Marcus Easley have been ruled out, as well as linebacker Ty Powell.
PREDICTION
It’s not going to be a pretty game. Both teams have vulnerable offensive lines, and neither offense averages over 20 points per game. Given the direction things are going for the Vikings, it stacks up as a tough road matchup in front of a good crowd that is excited about the Bills’ new ownership. The Vikings’ rushing attack has been largely non-existent and the passing game seems to be broken after two miserable efforts. Looks like the Bills’ game to lose. Buffalo 23, Minnesota 17.
Sam Ekstrom is a staff writer for Cold Omaha at 105 The Ticket. He has previously served as a play-by-play broadcaster in Iowa and South Dakota and has covered Minnesota sports since 2012. Follow him on Twitter @SamEkstrom for further insights.