Buffalo rides out Vikings’ grueling defensive action

• AP, MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota

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The Buffalo Bills knew they were not bound for many style points or likely to reach their league-leading scoring average against Minnesota’s relentlessly revved-up defense.

Josh Allen, James Cook and the rest of the group were more than content to grind this one out.

Allen threw a touchdown pass with 44 seconds left before halftime and Cook had 31 carries for 107 yards and a late score for the Bills in a 23-6 victory on Monday night, sending Vikings deeper into an unmitigated offensive slump.

Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass against Elijah Williams of the Minnesota Vikings during the game in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Monday.

Photo: AFP

“We stuck with it, stuck with it and eventually we broke it,” Cook said. “We knew what type of game it was going to be, a bloody game.”

With Kyler Murray sidelined by a hamstring injury, Carson Wentz started at quarterback for the Vikings (6-2) and did not finish what became one of the worst performances of his 11-year career.

Linebackers Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams had interceptions and Tyler Bass made three field goals to stretch his franchise-record streak to 24 straight as the Bills (7-1) matched their best eight-game start since 1993. That season ended with the last of their four straight Super Bowl losses.

“It’s just a mindset of going out there and not being result-driven, going out there and being process-driven and understanding what they’re trying to do,” said Allen, who went 21 for 31 for 234 yards and one interception. “At the end of the day, having fun playing the game of football.”

The Vikings sent blitzers at Allen from every angle possible, racking up four sacks. Allen heaved a third-and-23 throw into the end zone to beat the rush in the first quarter that Byron Murphy ran down and returned 55 yards. However, the Bills eked out just enough in the first half to give themselves a lead, when Allen found tight end Keleki Latu open in the back of the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown as he rolled right and was hit hard by Andrew Van Ginkel.

“There was no panic early in the game when things weren’t going our way,” coach Joe Brady said, marveling at his team’s 42:32 possession time. “Eventually you end up making it a game that they weren’t willing to play.”

Wentz went 8 for 25 for 81 yards and three turnovers, including a backward pass in the first quarter that was thrown too high for even Justin Jefferson to catch it — resulting in a lost fumble near midfield.

Wentz, who was checked out in the medical tent at one point for an apparent lower leg injury, was replaced by Max Brosmer midway through the fourth quarter. Wentz completed 1 of 8 passes in the second half, and the Vikings finished with just 178 yards.

The battle between the best offense and best defense in the NFL might well have gone to Minnesota had the offense been able to muster a decent drive or two.

However, the Vikings had four straight possessions in the first half start beyond their 40-yard line, and the furthest they made it was the Bills 48.

“Put tonight 100 percent on me. It’s not about any one particular player,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “But we’ve got to improve offensively, at a rapid pace.”

O’Connell blamed himself for not calling more running plays: Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones combined for just 11 carries when it was clear from the start how off-the-mark Wentz was. Jefferson finished with three catches for 58 yards on 11 targets.

“I’ve always said it doesn’t really matter who’s throwing the ball, as long as it gets there,” Jefferson said. “That’s all that matters. It’s up to us to make those plays. It’s tough, definitely tough.”

With 322 regular-season touchdowns — 232 passing, 88 rushing and two receiving — Allen tied Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history over a player’s first 10 years. Allen is halfway through his ninth season.