Vikings secure stunner
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Count out the Minnesota Vikings all you want. Patrick Peterson, Justin Jefferson and company keep finding ways to rally for victories in the most remarkable and improbable of ways.
Sunday’s 33-30 overtime win over the previously AFC-leading Buffalo Bills might have been the most stunning so far.
Peterson intercepted Josh Allen with 1:12 left in overtime to finally end a sloppy yet thrilling back-and-forth game between two of the NFL’s best teams in which Minnesota rallied from a 17-point, second-half deficit.
“Look at us now. Look at us now. That’s all I could say,” Peterson said, referring to critics who pointed out the NFC North-leading Vikings’ easy schedule.
“We’re not trying to prove them wrong. We just want to continue to prove ourselves right,” added Peterson, who had two interceptions.
Minnesota took advantage of three turnovers by Allen in the fourth quarter and overtime, pulling ahead late in regulation when he mishandled a snap and fumbled in the end zone.
Greg Joseph put the Vikings up to stay by hitting a 33-yard field goal with 3:42 remaining in overtime. The game didn’t end until
Allen, facing second and 10 at Minnesota’s 20-yard line, forced a pass over the middle intended for Gabe Davis, only to have Peterson intercept it a few yards into the end zone.
The Vikings (8-1) also got a heroic performance by Jefferson — who had 10 catches for 193 yards and an incredible, game-saving, one-handed grab. The Bills (6-3) have lost two straight and no longer lead the conference or their division. They trail the Miami Dolphins by a half-game in the AFC East.
Allen was questionable to play Sunday with an injured throwing elbow. He said the injury had nothing to do with the turnovers.