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MINNESOTA
BUFFALO |
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43.5
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Final
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| 465 | MINNESOTA | 44.5 | 43.5 | | 466 | BUFFALO | -4.5 | -6.5 |
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| All Games | 2-4 | -1 | 2-4 | 2-4 | 17.3 | 8.3 | 313.2 | (5.2) | 1.7 | 23.8 | 14.8 | 332.0 | (5.6) | 0.8 | | Road Games | 1-2 | -0.7 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 17.7 | 6.3 | 297.3 | (5.1) | 1.0 | 22.7 | 13.7 | 344.7 | (5.9) | 1.0 | | Last 3 Games | 1-2 | -0.3 | 1-2 | 2-1 | 18.0 | 8.0 | 356.3 | (5.4) | 2.0 | 29.0 | 17.3 | 328.7 | (5.7) | 1.0 | | Turf Games | 1-2 | -0.3 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 17.0 | 10.3 | 329.0 | (5.4) | 2.3 | 25.0 | 16.0 | 319.3 | (5.2) | 0.7 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 17.3 | 8.3 | 18.2 | 29:18 | 26-120 | (4.6) | 19-34 | 57.9% | 193 | (5.7) | 60-313 | (5.2) | (18.1) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 24 | 10.4 | 20.5 | 30:49 | 29-125 | (4.3) | 21-33 | 63.2% | 231 | (7) | 62-355 | (5.7) | (14.8) | | Offense Road Games | 17.7 | 6.3 | 17.0 | 28:58 | 26-119 | (4.6) | 19-33 | 56.6% | 179 | (5.4) | 59-297 | (5.1) | (16.8) | | Defense (All Games) | 23.8 | 14.8 | 19.0 | 30:42 | 28-118 | (4.2) | 21-31 | 66.1% | 214 | (6.8) | 60-332 | (5.6) | (13.9) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 24.5 | 12.7 | 21.5 | 30:28 | 25-104 | (4.1) | 24-38 | 64.3% | 266 | (7) | 63-370 | (5.9) | (15.1) | | Defense Road Games | 22.7 | 13.7 | 19.0 | 31:02 | 27-112 | (4.1) | 22-31 | 71.0% | 233 | (7.5) | 58-345 | (5.9) | (15.2) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.5 | 0.2 | 1.7 | -0.8 | 13-4 | 34.2% | 1-0 | 40.0% | 3-78 | (25.9) | 2-19 | (8.1) | 7-59 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 13-6 | 43.8% | 1-0 | 52.5% | 2-53 | (23.9) | 13-2 | (7.2) | 6-51 | | Stats For (Road Games) | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 14-5 | 34.1% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 4-101 | (27.5) | 2-9 | (3.7) | 7-65 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.8 | | 13-5 | 41.2% | 0-0 | 33.3% | 1-15 | (22) | 3-26 | (8.3) | 8-72 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.3 | | 13-6 | 44.4% | 1-0 | 39.9% | 2-44 | (23.2) | 16-2 | (8.4) | 7-60 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | | 13-6 | 44.7% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 0-9 | (26) | 3-15 | (4.5) | 7-60 |
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| All Games | 3-3 | +1.2 | 3-3 | 1-5 | 19.7 | 8.2 | 327.0 | (5.3) | 1.2 | 21.0 | 9.0 | 335.5 | (5.4) | 1.7 | | Home Games | 1-2 | -1.6 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 20.3 | 6.3 | 314.3 | (5.2) | 1.0 | 23.0 | 8.7 | 340.7 | (5.2) | 0.7 | | Last 3 Games | 1-2 | -0.5 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 18.7 | 6.7 | 331.7 | (5.2) | 2.0 | 24.7 | 11.3 | 320.0 | (5.5) | 1.7 | | Turf Games | 1-2 | -1.6 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 20.3 | 6.3 | 314.3 | (5.2) | 1.0 | 23.0 | 8.7 | 340.7 | (5.2) | 0.7 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 19.7 | 8.2 | 16.8 | 29:47 | 26-101 | (3.9) | 22-35 | 61.0% | 226 | (6.4) | 61-327 | (5.3) | (16.6) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 19.9 | 9.6 | 19.3 | 29:01 | 26-106 | (4.1) | 22-35 | 61.4% | 226 | (6.4) | 61-332 | (5.4) | (16.7) | | Offense Home Games | 20.3 | 6.3 | 16.7 | 28:56 | 26-89 | (3.4) | 21-35 | 60.6% | 225 | (6.5) | 61-314 | (5.2) | (15.5) | | Defense (All Games) | 21.0 | 9.0 | 21.0 | 31:05 | 24-68 | (2.8) | 25-38 | 67.1% | 268 | (7) | 62-335 | (5.4) | (16) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 23.9 | 11.8 | 20.3 | 31:19 | 28-108 | (3.9) | 22-35 | 64.6% | 244 | (7) | 63-352 | (5.6) | (14.7) | | Defense Home Games | 23.0 | 8.7 | 21.7 | 31:04 | 28-72 | (2.5) | 25-37 | 68.5% | 269 | (7.3) | 65-341 | (5.2) | (14.8) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 15-5 | 37.5% | 1-0 | 25.0% | 2-59 | (27.2) | 2-12 | (6.6) | 9-80 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 1 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 13-5 | 40.4% | 1-0 | 35.5% | 3-63 | (23.1) | 23-2 | (10.4) | 7-57 | | Stats For (Home Games) | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.0 | -0.3 | 15-6 | 43.2% | 1-0 | 25.0% | 3-77 | (29) | 2-9 | (5.6) | 8-86 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.7 | | 13-5 | 34.6% | 1-0 | 25.0% | 1-25 | (21.1) | 3-16 | (6.1) | 6-53 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.3 | | 14-6 | 42.6% | 1-0 | 35.6% | 2-39 | (24.2) | 15-2 | (7.7) | 7-58 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | | 15-6 | 38.6% | 1-0 | 25.0% | 2-29 | (17.2) | 3-8 | (3.1) | 6-41 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: MINNESOTA 21.5, BUFFALO 20.8 |
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| 9/7/2014 | @ ST LOUIS | 34-6 | W | 3 | W | 43.5 | U | 30-186 | 17-25-160 | 0 | 22-72 | 24-36-246 | 2 | | 9/14/2014 | NEW ENGLAND | 7-30 | L | 3 | L | 49 | U | 19-54 | 19-36-163 | 4 | 37-150 | 15-22-142 | 0 | | 9/21/2014 | @ NEW ORLEANS | 9-20 | L | 9.5 | L | 49.5 | U | 22-59 | 17-30-188 | 0 | 32-108 | 27-35-288 | 0 | | 9/28/2014 | ATLANTA | 41-28 | W | 5.5 | W | 48 | O | 44-241 | 19-30-317 | 0 | 22-123 | 25-41-288 | 2 | | 10/2/2014 | @ GREEN BAY | 10-42 | L | 9.5 | L | 46.5 | O | 25-111 | 22-44-188 | 3 | 28-156 | 15-22-164 | 1 | | 10/12/2014 | DETROIT | 3-17 | L | -1 | L | 43 | U | 18-69 | 23-37-143 | 3 | 28-100 | 19-33-155 | 0 | | 10/19/2014 | @ BUFFALO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/26/2014 | @ TAMPA BAY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/2/2014 | WASHINGTON | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/16/2014 | @ CHICAGO | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 9/7/2014 | @ CHICAGO | 23-20 | W | 6.5 | W | 47 | U | 33-193 | 16-22-167 | 1 | 18-86 | 34-49-341 | 3 | | 9/14/2014 | MIAMI | 29-10 | W | -1.5 | W | 43 | U | 33-113 | 16-26-202 | 0 | 21-80 | 31-49-210 | 2 | | 9/21/2014 | SAN DIEGO | 10-22 | L | -3 | L | 45.5 | U | 22-87 | 23-40-205 | 0 | 37-85 | 18-25-251 | 0 | | 9/28/2014 | @ HOUSTON | 17-23 | L | 2.5 | L | 44 | U | 23-96 | 21-44-220 | 2 | 24-37 | 25-37-264 | 3 | | 10/5/2014 | @ DETROIT | 17-14 | W | 4.5 | W | 43 | U | 22-49 | 30-43-294 | 1 | 20-69 | 18-31-194 | 2 | | 10/12/2014 | NEW ENGLAND | 22-37 | L | -1 | L | 44 | O | 23-68 | 24-38-268 | 3 | 27-50 | 27-37-346 | 0 | | 10/19/2014 | MINNESOTA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/26/2014 | @ NY JETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/9/2014 | KANSAS CITY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/13/2014 | @ MIAMI | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | MINNESOTA: At every one of Norv Turner's stops, the offense has leaned on a power running game, and his first year as the Vikings' offensive coordinator will be no different. He retained offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, whose scheme skews toward more zone than gap blocking. Adrian Peterson will see a monstrous workload due to his club's uncertainty under center, not to mention the inclement weather they'll be playing in as they move outdoors to University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium for 2014 and 2015 while their new stadium is being constructed. Expect the Vikings to also be one of the NFL's most run-heavy red zone teams.
Turner runs a classic Air Coryell, high-to-low passing game, one that should be relatively easy for rookie Teddy Bridgewater to pick up once he ascends to the top of the depth chart past incumbents Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder. They're going to carve out a bigger role for Cordarrelle Patterson, who has proven to be a catch-and-run threat, but he should also start working downfield more often. Patterson also proved to be a red-zone threat in limited chances last year. Greg Jennings will serve as the top downfield option and tight end Kyle Rudolph should have a big role as a possession receiver and an expanded role in the red zone. Peterson will also be worked into the passing game.
Free agents free safety Kurt Coleman and cornerbacks Captain Munnerlyn and Derek Cox were nice offseason additions. But new head coach Mike Zimmer and new defensive coordinator George Edwards don't have any superstar players to work with now that defensive end Jared Allen and his 128.5 career sacks are in rival Chicago. | | BUFFALO: Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett brought a much different look to the Bills' running game in his first season with the team in 2013, and it didn't do C.J. Spiller any favors. Buffalo uses a lot of read option plays to try to take advantage of quarterback EJ Manuel's mobility. Spiller was hesitant in read-option situations, and Manuel was fragile as a rookie, so they might move back to a more traditional look this year. Spiller figures to take back more of a No. 1 workload from Fred Jackson, though that was the plan a year ago and Jackson proved too valuable to keep off the field. Bryce Brown provides insurance for the aging Jackson. In the red zone, the Bills quickly moved away from Spiller in goal-to-go situations, opting for Jackson's more decisive running instead.
Hackett uses play-action and crossing action in the middle of the field. Rookie Sammy Watkins will likely be penciled in at flanker, where they'll rely on his YAC ability to make Manuel's life easier. After spending the early part of the year on the perimeter last year, No. 2 WR Robert Woods should work a larger set of routes, similar to what former No. 1 receiver Stevie Johnson used to run. Marquise Goodwin figures to overtake T.J. Graham as their primary deep threat, while Mike Williams comes in as a red zone specialist. Tight end Scott Chandler will be utilized as a receiver underneath.
The Bills will be playing for their third defensive coordinator in three years with Jim Schwartz replacing Mike Pettine, who improved this group a lot in 2013, especially with sacks and interceptions. Free agent outside linebackers Keith Rivers and Brandon Spikes will greatly help Buffalo's transition to a 4-3 scheme. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (MINNESOTA-BUFFALO) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Vikings-Bills Preview* =======================
By JACK CASSIDY STATS Writer
The Minnesota Vikings made a move toward the future when they handed the quarterback position to first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater.
Bridgewater's opponent Sunday, the Buffalo Bills, didn't subscribe to the same school of thought. They proved as much when they benched second-year quarterback E.J. Manuel in favor of Kyle Orton after four games.
So far, neither replacement has excelled.
Bridgewater, who took over for the Vikings (2-4) after Matt Cassel suffered a season-ending foot injury, flashed his potential in his first start, passing for 317 yards and rushing for a touchdown in a 41-28 win over Atlanta on Sept. 28.
The success, though, was short-lived. Bridgewater missed a 42-10 defeat at Green Bay four days later with an ankle injury and struggled mightily when he returned last Sunday against Detroit. He completed 23 of 37 passes for 188 yards and three interceptions in a 17-3 loss.
"You're not just going to go out there and be perfect," said Bridgewater, who will make his first road start. "There's some throws that you're not going to be able to control and there will be things that happen throughout the course of a game that you won't be able to control.
"But at the same time, for me, it was an eye-opener. After my performance against Atlanta, I believe the expectation level is high. But I have a high expectation level for myself also."
Bridgewater has yet to throw a touchdown pass and his 70.8 passer rating ranks second-lowest among qualified players. Those early career statistics, however, have done little to dissuade coach Mike Zimmer of his ability.
"I believe, with all my heart, that Teddy Bridgewater is going to be the franchise quarterback here for a long, long time," Zimmer said Monday. "I believe that the team believes that, too."
For Buffalo (3-3), the quarterback change emphasized its hope to compete this season. But since Orton took over, the Bills are 1-1 - the same winning percentage they had under Manuel.
Orton threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-22 loss to New England last week. The veteran also turned the ball over twice, both of which led to Patriots scores.
"Sometimes we can't stay out of our own way," Orton said after the loss, which moved New England into first place in the AFC East. "It's tough to beat a good team doing that."
Orton, averaging 303.5 yards over his two starts, will face the league's sixth-best passing defense. The Vikings have allowed 213.8 yards per game, and safety Harrison Smith is tied for the NFL lead with three interceptions.
They will look to shut down a Bills offense with issues extending far beyond just the quarterback position. Despite a rushing attack headed by C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson and a receiving threat led by talented rookie Sammy Watkins, the Bills have managed 11 touchdowns - fifth-fewest in the NFL.
"It's not one individual," coach Doug Marrone said. "It's easy when it's one individual. You just put one out and put somebody else in. But it's up front, it's hitting the holes, it's believing and trusting the scheme."
Jackson, who has one of Buffalo's two rushing touchdowns, singled out not a player but an overall lack of execution as his team's biggest issue.
"Turnovers and penalties," Jackson said. "When you kill yourselves on drives like that it's going to be hard to get anything going."
Buffalo has been penalized the third-most times in the NFL and was flagged eight times for 107 yards against New England.
Adding another problem to the mix, reports surfaced Monday that wideout Mike Williams had been granted permission to seek a trade by general manager Doug Whaley after the healthy Williams was benched last Sunday.
However, Williams said Wednesday he wants to continue playing for his hometown team and has ordered his agent to stop seeking trade offers.
Defensively, Buffalo leads the NFL in allowing 67.5 yards per game on the ground and has yet to surrender a rushing touchdown.
Minnesota rushed for 241 yards against the Falcons, with rookie Jerick McKinnon having 135 on 18 carries. McKinnon, though, has 64 yards on 18 attempts in the last two games.
The Vikings lead the all-time series 8-4, winning 38-14 in the last matchup Dec. 5, 2010. The teams have not played in Buffalo since 2006.
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 4/19/2024 4:50:58 PM EST. |
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