Buffalo Bills vs Minnesota Vikings Match Player Stats On Sep 23, 2018

Rookie quarterback Josh Allen ran for two touchdowns and threw for another to lead the Buffalo Bills in a 27-6 victory over the host Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Allen was 15 of 22 passing for 196 yards, with a 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jason Croom and no interceptions. He also rushed for 39 yards and two scores for Buffalo (1-2).

After two missed kicks cost Minnesota (1-1-1) a win in Green Bay last week, the Vikings didn't even get close enough to attempt a field goal until the fourth quarter against the Bills.

Buffalo's defense, which had allowed 75 points through the first six quarters of the season but given up only nine over the last six, pressured Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins into three turnovers.

Coming off a 425-yard effort in Green Bay, Cousins completed 40 of 55 passes for 296 yards and 4-yard touchdown to Kyle Rudolph with 2 minutes, 59 seconds remaining Sunday. The late score avoided what would have been the Vikings' first home shutout since 1962.

Chris Ivory totaled 126 yards (56 rushing, 70 receiving) for the Bills, who were without Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy (ribs).

Vikings starting running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring) also did not play, and Minnesota abandoned the run after falling behind early, finishing with 14 yards on the ground.

Bills linebacker Matt Milano had an interception, fumble recovery and a sack.

Buffalo shocked Minnesota by scoring 17 points in the first 10 minutes and led 27-0 at halftime, a stark contrast for a Bills team that had been outscored 54-3 in the opening half of its first two losses.

The Vikings possessed the ball for just nine minutes and gained 46 yards in the first half. They did not cross midfield until their second drive of the third quarter started in Buffalo territory following a special teams penalty.

Cousins fumbled in his own territory on consecutive drives in the first quarter leading to 10 Buffalo points. The turnovers, forced by Buffalo pass rushers Trent Murphy and Jerry Hughes, set up Croom's touchdown catch and a 30-yard field goal from Stephen Hauschka, who also hit from 50 yards later in the half.

Allen capped a 75-yard opening drive with a 10-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Bills their first lead of the season, and scored on a 1-yard plunge on fourth down to put Buffalo up 24-0 three minutes into the second quarter.

--Field Level Media