The Buffalo Bills went into U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 9 and came out with a tough win over a remarkable Minnesota Vikings defense. Josh Allen returned to the scene of his first NFL win, and once again left victorious. What did this win, as uncomfortable as it was, teach us?
3 takeaways from Bills' huge win over Vikings
Joe Brady can make adjustments
The Buffalo Bills hired Joe Brady to lead the team as head coach, but also to take the Bills' offense to new heights. He may have succeeded in that area; Despite scoring a season-low 23 points on Monday Night Football, the Bills lead the NFL in scoring. Those lowly 23 points are the most the Vikings legendary defense has allowed all season. Most of it came after Joe Brady switched up the tempo.
In a 3-3 ball game, the Bills got the ball with four minutes remaining in the first half. They'd been stymied throughout the game to that point, with three of their first six drives going backwards. The long-developing plays weren't working. Minnesota was too quick to the quarterback to let anything develop. Brady's switch to quick-hitting plays for short yardage opened up the defense and led to a long touchdown drive before halftime.
Those quick hits forced the Vikings away from their proven-effective blitz-heavy gameplan. The second Minnesota held off, Josh Allen extended a play with little pressure, hitting Keleki Latu at the back of the end zone for the game's first touchdown.
That lead wouldn't be relinquished, and the Bills' offense moved better for the rest of the night. Joe Brady deserves plenty of credit for making the switch the offense needed, and using elements of it throughout the rest of the game to keep the offense running.
Dion Dawkins remains extremely valuable
Sometimes, subtraction is the most honest way to evaluate a player. In a night where the Bills were missing their starting left guard and left tackle, they have an honest evaluation. Dion Dawkins was missed, badly.
This isn't to discredit Tylan Grable, who filled in, or Austin Corbett, who took over at left guard. Those players were adequate under the circumstances, but Dion Dawkins has earned his reputation as one of the better left tackles in the game. On a night where the Vikings pressured Josh Allen at will, he would have made a substantial difference.
Davison Igbinosun is CB2
The Buffalo Bills defense seems to be starting to come together. They released CJGJ, traded for Amani Hooker, and put together two good games as a group. Still, the best news on defense might have already been in the building; they have a solution at cornerback.
Davison Igbinosun put his mark all over this game, from tight coverage against Justin Jefferson to his willingness to make the physical tackle. He far outstrips competing CB2 Maxwell Hairston in snaps and usage, and it seems to be to the team's benefit. Igbinosun has been effective this season, seemingly more comfortable every week.
Hairston remains a tool in this defense, but his fight for the starting spot is clear as day.
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