How did each position group do for the Buffalo Bills in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings?
The Buffalo Bills once again suffered a heartbreaking loss, this time in overtime against the Minnesota Vikings. The Bills built a 17-point lead midway through the third quarter but the Vikings would continue to chip away at that lead.
It would be a frantic final two minutes of regulation where the Vikings converted a 4th and 18 to have the Buffalo Bills stop them a few plays later on a fourth down at the one yard line. It appeared to be the deciding play in the game and the Bills were on their way to a win but a botched snap in the end zone between Josh Allen and Mitch Morse gave the Vikings the lead.
However, Josh Allen got the ball back and drove the offense down the field to tie it in the final seconds of the game.
Then in overtime, the Vikings got the ball first and drove it down the field to kick a field goal and take a 33-30 lead. The Buffalo Bills, and more particularly Josh Allen, answered right back as Allen broke two long runs that had them right there in field goal range.
Unfortunately, Josh Allen would force a throw that would be picked off and end the game. Looking back at this game, these are the grades for each position group in Week 10 for the Buffalo Bills.
Quarterback
There were big questions about whether or not Josh Allen would be available this week after he had only one limited practice this week due to an elbow injury. However, once the game got going it didn’t appear the injury impacted Allen much at all and he threw for 330 yards and completed 67% of his passes while picking up 84 rushing yards with one passing touchdown.
The concern is the turnovers as Allen once again threw two interceptions, which is the third straight game that has occurred. What makes matters even more concerning is where the turnovers are happening as almost all since the bye has been in the end zone or near the end zone.
The issue more times than not is Josh Allen seems to be pressing to make the big play versus settling for a check down or the safe play. This is certainly correctable and will be a point of emphasis for the coaching staff this week.
Grade: C+
Running Back
The fact that Josh Allen was dealing with the elbow injury it seemed like this might be the chance for the offense to finally establish the run and take some of the pressure off their franchise quarterback.
It appeared to be heading that way early as Devin Singletary was a key part with two rushing touchdowns on the first three drives. However, the playcalling seemed to abandon the run, particularly in the second half. This was surprising considering the Bills were up and probably in a position to try and burn some clock.
Singletary finished the game with only 47 rushing yards on 13 carries and James Cook added 22 rushing yards on five carries.
Grade: B
Wide Receiver/Tight End
The Buffalo Bills finally got some production from wide receivers and tight ends not named Stefon Diggs. While Diggs did lead the way against his former team with 12 receptions for 128 receiving yards, Gabe Davis made some big catches like the touchdown right before halftime or the one down the sideline on the final drive of regulation that if reviewed would have been called back.
In addition to Gabe Davis, this was one of the most productive games for Isaiah McKenzie who had four receptions for 37 yards on five targets. This was also one of the best games of the season for Dawson Knox who was much more involved with four receptions and 57 receiving yards, which was a season high.
While Stefon Diggs is one of the best wide receivers in the game, this offense is much more effective when they get production from those other players.
Grade: B+
Offensive Line
Early on, the Buffalo Bills offensive line looked to be dominating in the trenches and were giving running backs like Devin Singletary plenty of room to make plays. However, as the game went along the Vikings took that momentum and not only shut down the run game but also started to get more pressure on Josh Allen.
The Bills quarterback was sacked twice as well as hit four times with Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter each accounting for a sack. The struggles down the stretch, combined with the huge botched snap late in the game pull their grade down this week.
Grade: C-
Defensive Line
The Buffalo Bills were going to be without starter Greg Rousseau for this game due to an ankle injury and it presented a big opportunity for the other defensive ends on the roster to try and replace Rousseau. This group stepped up and had a really good game as the four active defensive ends (Von Miller, A.J. Epenesa, Boogie Basham, and Shaq Lawson) had at least 0.5 sacks each.
They also did a good job for almost the entire game against the Vikings run game. Dalvin Cook did have one big run that went 81-yards for a touchdown but outside of that one run, Minnesota averaged only 2.75 yards per rush attempt.
This was a complete group effort from the defensive ends to the defensive tackles and a good bounce-back game after two disappointing games against the Packers and Jets.
Grade: A-
Linebackers
Last week, the Buffalo Bills were without Matt Milano and his absence was apparent with how the New York Jets were able to move the ball against this defense. This week, the Bills began the game with their two starters of Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano and the defense was playing great football.
However, the Bills would lose Edmunds for most of the second half as he left the game due to a groin injury. While Tyrel Dodson had a pretty good game, he is not the same player as Edmunds and the Vikings found success moving the ball in the final two quarters and in overtime.
Grade: B-
Secondary
The Buffalo Bill secondary has been tested almost every week since the beginning of the season. Tre’Davious White still hasn’t returned from his ACL injury, Micah Hyde is out of the year due to a neck injury and Jordan Poyer missed his fourth game of the season on Sunday against the Vikings.
While the secondary did make some good plays, like interceptions by Christian Benford and Dane Jackson, when teams have to face elite players like Justin Jefferson, they need their stars on the field. Jefferson was a game-changer for the Vikings with nearly 200 receiving yards and the Bills clearly were out-matched.
Grade: C+
Special Teams
The Buffalo Bills made a change at who was returning kickoffs this week after calling up Duke Johnson. The move worked out because Johnson gave this group a little boost and had some good runs, including a 43-yard return in the first half.
In addition to Johnson, Tyler Bass bounced back and was perfect on the day with three made field goals, including one to tie the game in the closing seconds, and three made extra points.
Grade: B
Final Grade for the Buffalo Bills in Week 10
The Buffalo Bills in the end didn’t get the result they needed, which was a win over the Minnesota Vikings. It seemed like they were going to do that at a number of different points in the game both in regulation and overtime.
However, in each of those moments, they couldn’t make the necessary play. Whether it was stopping the Vikings on 4th and 18, securing a clean snap back up against their goal line, or Josh Allen throwing the interception at the end of the game.
There is no question this is a talented roster and the Buffalo Bills have the ability to be one of the best teams in the league. Unfortunately, right now it seems to come down to one play or one drive and the Bills are not able to make those necessary plays.
Grade: C
5 takeaways for the Buffalo Bills in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings
The Buffalo Bills fell to the Minnesota Vikings by a final score of 33-30 and these are five takeaways from that game in Week 10.