Minnesota pounces on Allen’s turnovers
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Count out the 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’s pass 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 Northleading Vikings’ easy schedule.
“We’re not trying to prove them wrong. We just want to continue to prove ourselves right each and every time we step on the field,” added Peterson, who had two interceptions.
The Vikings 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 ahead to stay by hitting a 33yard field goal with 3:42 left in overtime. The game didn’t end until Allen, facing 2nd-and-10 at Minnesota’s 20, forced a pass over the middle intended for Gabe Davis, only to have Peterson intercept it a few yards into the end zone. Peterson ran out and slid to the turf.
The Vikings also got a big performance by Jefferson — who had 10 catches for 193 yards and an incredible, game-saving onehanded grab — and overcame an officiating gaffe.
NFL senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson said the Bills’ hurry-up offense gave replay officials no time to review Davis’ 20-yard catch on Buffalo’s final drive of regulation, which ended with Tyler Bass tying the game with a 29-yard field goal with two seconds left. Replays revealed Davis didn’t maintain control and the ball touched the ground on the sideline on what was ruled a catch at the Vikings 40 with 17 seconds remaining, Anderson said.
With its only loss to the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota matched its best record through nine games since 2009 and extended its win streak to seven games— the Vikings’ best since an eight-game run 2017.
Minnesota rallied to win when trailing with 2½ minutes or less remaining in regulation for the fifth time this season.
The Bills (6-3) have lost two straight and no longer lead the conference, or even their division. They now trail Miami by a half-game in the AFC East.
And Allen’s turnover problems are suddenly the biggest question surrounding the Bills’ talented QB. He was questionable to play on Sunday because of an injured throwing elbow. Allen said the injury had nothing to do with the turnovers.
“Losing sucks. It sucks this way even more. Horrendous second half,” Allen said. “It comes down to my shoulders and my shoulders only. Making the right decisions, making the right throws. This one’s going to suck, watching it.”