Vikings Face Bills With Playoff Hopes on the Line Tonight

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Game Time Decisions

Vikings Face Mounting Pressure as Bills and Jaguars Chase an AFC Breakthrough

The situation surrounding the Minnesota Vikings feels confusing. Before last week, they were undefeated at 6-0, yet people were still questioning whether they believed in them. If the Buffalo Bills win tonight, the Vikings could become considerable favorites to miss the playoffs because of the perception surrounding them and the state of the NFC North.

The Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams keep getting it done, while the Detroit Lions have almost become a sleeper because nobody pays attention to them anymore. The Green Bay Packers also lit up the New England Patriots yesterday.

Every game matters for Buffalo, but Minnesota enters this Monday night game at 6-1 and seemingly fighting for its life. The Vikings have the league’s best defense, which has been almost historic, and have lost only one game. Yet they are still battling for a playoff spot.

Buffalo is not fighting for a playoff spot in the same way, but Josh Allen has never won a road playoff game. If the Bills are going to reach the Super Bowl, they need home-field advantage and a bye week. That would limit the number of games they have to play, and they are extremely difficult to beat in Buffalo. There is also symbolism surrounding the new stadium this year.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, meanwhile, are all in. They are already a premier football team and are loading up for a Super Bowl run because they believe there is a path. Buffalo and Jacksonville look like the two best teams in the AFC, and Jacksonville is not playing around.

Do not expect any major in-season moves from Buffalo. Once the Bills establish their roster, that tends to remain their team for the year. They are good, but unlike other teams that move money around, push costs down the road and create room for players, Buffalo does not usually operate that way.

Minnesota could trade for a quarterback if Carson Wentz does not play well tonight. Wentz played well in his one game, but it is difficult to bring in another quarterback and quickly teach him the offense.

Daniel Jones could be an option because he knows the offense, although that would mean moving from one stopgap quarterback to another. Kirk Cousins would also make sense. The Raiders are in freefall and know their season is over, while Cousins leads the NFL in passing touchdowns. Vegas might also receive a decent draft pick in return.

It is remarkable how many quarterbacks Minnesota has gone through. Many players around the league know the offense, but the Vikings continue to cycle through options. Meanwhile, it was another start and another win for JJ.