| quarterback Vladimir Ducasse Jerseys 2019 , hustling to give Buffalo an early lead in his first NFL road start.Then, the Bills turned their defense loose on Kirk Cousins and delivered a stunningly lopsided victory over the Minnesota Vikings.More Vikings coveragePreview: Cook, Vikings look to keep rolling vs. PackersTop Tweets: Vikings prepare for Packers with TMNT hype videoBarr, seasoned Vikings defense off to strong startNew offense, same Rodgers: Vikings prep for LaFleur’s PackersVikings re-sign center Jones, waive rookie TE DillonAllen accounted for three touchdowns, making Cousins look like the raw rookie as the Bills beat the Vikings 27-6 on Sunday as 16½-point underdogs.“This is a tough place to play. That’s a good Vikings defense,” said Allen, who became the first Bills rookie quarterback to record at least one rushing and passing score in his first career road start. “It just solidifies the trust that I have in my teammates.”Cousins had three turnovers. He lost a fumble on a third-down sack inside Minnesota’s 20-yard line on each of the first two possessions , and Buffalo turned those recoveries into 10 points. The Bills built a 27-0 lead by midway through the second quarter as the crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium White Jason Croom Jerseys , where the Vikings had won 10 of their last 11 games including the playoffs, began booing with increased intensity.“Great defense, well-coached, great scheme,” Cousins said. “They have legitimate players at a lot of different positions.”The Vikings (1-1-1) allowed the Bills (1-2) to become only the sixth 16-plus-point underdog winner in the NFL’s last 81 point spreads of that size. According to ESPN research, the last such winner was Washington over Dallas on Dec. 3, 1995.“I don’t think we took them too lightly,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. “I think they came out and kicked our butts.”After being outscored 75-9 over their first six quarters of the season, the Bills have enjoyed a 41-9 advantage over the last six periods.“We really don’t really pay attention to what people think about us,” linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said. “It’s all about internal belief and confidence. If you listen to outside noise Jason Croom Jerseys 2019 , we’d never win a game because nobody respects Buffalo at all. We have to continue to go out and earn that respect.”Allen certainly earned some with this performance.The seventh overall pick in the draft out of Wyoming who took the job earlier than expected in relief of a struggling Nathan Peterman in the opener, completed 15 of 22 passes for 196 yards. That included a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide-open tight end Jason Croom .AIRBORNE ALLENThough Allen took three sacks and fumbled three times, the Bills were able to recover all of them. He put together a mini-highlight film with his feet while injured running back LeSean McCoy watched in a sweatsuit — with a big smile — from the sideline.Allen dived to finish a 10-yard run by beating Anthony Barr to the pylon to finish the game’s first drive. Later, on third-and-9, Allen hurdled over Barr to land past the first-down marker. He capped that possession with a 1-yard touchdown leap over the goal line on fourth down for a 24-0 lead early in the second quarter.“He was decisive early, and that’s important,” coach Sean McDermott said. “It looked like he played with a clear mind.”GROUNDED GAMEWith running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring) inactive and the score so lopsided, the Vikings set a franchise record for fewest rushing attempts with six. Cousins, who took four sacks, finished 40 for 55 for 296 yards and a late touchdown to Kyle Rudolph .GOING GREENThe Vikings inducted the late Dennis Green White Rafael Bush Jerseys , who’s second behind Bud Grant in winning percentage as a head coach, into their Ring of Honor. Green, who guided the Vikings to the playoffs in eight of his 10 seasons, became the 24th member. The Vikings beat the Bills in all three meetings under Green.INJURY REPORTBills: Beyond McCoy (rib), starting CB Phillip Gaines (elbow) and backup DE Shaq Lawson (hamstring) was inactive. … Russell Bodine, who started at C for Ryan Groy, left with leg cramps in the third quarter. Groy, who had moved to LG when Vlad Ducasse was injured, shifted back to the middle as Ducasse re-entered. … CB Ryan Lewis, making his NFL debut in place of Gaines Rafael Bush Jerseys 2019 , left with an injury in the fourth quarter. Murphy (ankle) did, too.Vikings: In addition to Cook and DE Everson Griffen (knee), backup TE David Morgan (knee) and PR Marcus Sherels (ribs) were held out. Griffen was not at the game, and Zimmer said he was dealing with a “personal matter.” … CB Trae Waynes (ankle) left in the first quarter and didn’t return. … RT Rashod Hill (ankle) departed in the second quarter and didn’t return.UP NEXTBills: Play at Green Bay next Sunday.Vikings: Play the Rams in Los Angeles on Thursday night. The Buffalo Bills may be set to name offensive assistant Chad Hall as their next wide receivers coach. He’s been with the team for two years since head coach Sean McDermott was hired. This according to NFL Insider Alex Marvez of Sirius XM Radio (formerly of FOX Sports).Hall only has the two years in Buffalo on his coaching resume. He joined the coaching staff after leaving the NFL. Hall played wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles (2010-12), San Francisco 49ers (2012-13), and Kansas City Chiefs (2013) before being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars following the 2014 pre-season. In his professional career, Hall caught 16 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns.The Bills have been moving younger in their coaching position this off-season. First, they moved in the 45-year-old offensive line coach Bobby Johnson to replace the 59-year-old Juan Castillo. Then they hired Heath Farwell, barely 37, to replace Danny Crossman (52) as special teams coach. Hiring Hall (just 32) would be the largest age change White Matt Milano Jerseys , halving former receivers coach Terry Robiskie’s 64 years. Obviously his close ties with Andy Reid and McDermott allowed him opportunities in the NFL during both his playing and coaching career. If he does indeed sign on as Buffalo’s wide receivers coach, he’ll be younger than three players currently signed for 2019; Lorenzo Alexander, Derek Anderson, and Stephen Hasuchka. |
