With the Buffalo Bills and the Minnesota Vikings both entering this anticipated matchup at 6-1, it should be an exciting Monday Night showdown. As the Bills bring a high-flying offense, the Vikings will enter the contest with their own one-of-a-kind defense.
While the Bills secured their first dominating win over the Baltimore Ravens, 36-10, despite the Ravens losing two quarterbacks, the Vikings gave the Detroit Lions their first loss of the season. Only one team will claim a 7-1 record after this game.
Let's take a look at some key matchups between the teams that could determine the outcome.
3 key matchups Bills must win in Monday Night showdown
1.) Buffalo's offense vs. Minnesota's defense
The Minnesota Vikings' defense is surely scary under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, but the Bills provide a formidable offense led by superstar quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook. The Vikings blitz at one of the highest rates in the league at 69.9%, and have held offenses to just 13.3 points per game.
Meanwhile, the Bills boast the league's #2 offense, averaging 33.3 points per game (first in the league in that category). It will be an interesting chess vs. checkers matchup between head coach Joe Brady and defensive coordinator Brian Flores to see if Allen and the Bills' offensive line can pick up this blitz, as they have been successful with it in the past.
2.) Buffalo's defense vs. Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson of the Vikings is, without a doubt, still one of the league's premier wide receivers and can still blow off a defense with one move. He will face a Bills defense that, at the start of the year, struggled with communication in the secondary, but has improved and should keep improving now that C.J. Gardner-Johnson is no longer with the team.
The Bills' defense stepped it up last week, holding the Ravens to 10 points, albeit with third-string rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano, and it raised their points-against-per-game ranking from 31st to 24th. Still, the Bills need to improve their communication, as their secondary keeps allowing big plays, which cannot happen against Jefferson.
The Bills can stop Jefferson by slowing their run game, blitzing more, and keeping tight coverage on him all night long. If they can't, Jefferson will have no problem reaching the end zone the whole game.
3.) Josh Allen's TDs vs. turnovers
Josh Allen possesses 20 total touchdowns and is the top offensive player for the Bills. But he has been prone to turning the football over with his strong-armed, reckless style of play. While it's true Minnesota's defense is built to frustrate, Allen could easily throw four touchdowns and three interceptions in this matchup.
Also, the Bills' passing attack will challenge Minnesota's pass rush and coverage, while Allen's rushing role will help the team by keeping him in the game.
This week's Monday Night showdown will be interesting to watch, as either Buffalo's offense or Minnesota's defense could determine the game.
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