We’ve got an upcoming battle of two 6-1 teams on Monday night between the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings. You have a ferocious defense that has been punishing opposing offenses on one side, and then you have an offense that hasn't consistently played their best but are still averaging 33 points per game.
This should definitely be Buffalo's toughest test in terms of facing a defense that has carried a team to victories this season. However, when you have Josh Allen as your quarterback, you can never be counted out. At the same time, even Allen has his bad games...
Heading into this huge matchup, I had the chance to speak with Brad Berreman, who is a contributor at The Viking Age (FanSided's coverage for the Minnesota Vikings), and Berreman was able to provide insights about the Vikings for Bills fans.
Bills vs. Vikings insights ahead of Week 9 MNF clash
RAY: Minnesota's defense is by far the most ferocious defense that the Bills are going up against. Who do you believe is going to be Minnesota's biggest X-factor on defense to slow down Josh Allen and why?
BERREMAN: I'll go with…Andrew Van Ginkel. His ability to get after the quarterback and also play in coverage will be critical to containing Allen.
RAY: Who do you see being more of the bellcow back, Aaron Jones or Jordan Mason and why?
BERREMAN: Mason is better-suited than Jones to being a bell cow, by build, age, etc., but he has limitations in the passing game that keep it a split. I wish they'd lean into making Mason the No. 1 back, but Jones is valued highly and what he can do fills the gaps in Mason’s game.
RAY: What is a major weakness for the Vikings on both sides of the ball?
BERREMAN: A major weakness on offense is, obviously, the quarterback play right now and everything else flows down from that. Multiple reasons why, from Murray’s limitations to Kevin O’Connell being too married to his system.
On defense, the Lions may have offered a blueprint for others to follow (12 and 13 personnel, with unique alignment of those extra tight ends) when it comes to going against Brian Flores’ blitz-crazy tendencies. The Bills may be able to do something similar. At times, tackling in space can be a thing (Josh Metellus gets some deserved spotlight there).
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