Vikings vs. Bills score, takeaways: Justin Jefferson, Patrick Peterson help Minnesota prevail in wild OT game

Sunday's game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Buffalo Bills appeared to be won by each team in regulation at multiple points before the Vikings preserved a 33-30 overtime victory in Week 10. Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson, the eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro, flashed his pedigree in the clutch as the 32-year-old came through for his second end zone interception of Bills quarterback Josh Allen to end the game in overtime after the Vikings kicked a field goal on their opening extra time drive. 

It was a historic comeback as Minnesota became the first team to beat Buffalo in Highmark Stadium when trailing by at least 14 points at halftime as the Vikings fell behind 24-10 at the break. The last time the Bills lost a home game with a halftime lead of 14 or more was also in Week 10, but it occurred in the 1968 season at War Memorial Stadium.

Minnesota, improving to 8-1 with a seventh straight victory, won its third game this season when trailing by 10 or more points in the fourth quarter, tied for the third-most such comeback wins in a season in the 21st century, and the Vikings still have eight games left to play. They miraculously overcame double-digit, fourth-quarter deficits on the road for consecutive weeks. They beat the Washington Commanders in Week 9 – winning 20-17 on a game-winning field goal with no time left after trailing 17-7 -- and on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. However, unlike Week 9, Minnesota's rally wasn't enough to decide the game in regulation. 

Trailing 27-10 at the start of the fourth quarter, Minnesota ripped off 20 consecutive points to take a 30-27 lead with 41 seconds remaining in regulation. Vikings running back Dalvin Cook got the rally started with an 81-yard scoring sprint down the left sideline that was the longest carry in his career and the longest rushing touchdown by a Vikings player since Adrian Peterson in Week 15 of the 2012 season (82 yards) against the Rams. A huge play from an expected source, unlike the next Vikings touchdown -- a five-yard rush from fullback C.J. Ham -- which marked just the second rushing touchdown of his career and first since his rookie year in 2017.  What ensued following a seemingly mundane score came back to have major implications on the outcome of this thriller: Vikings kicker Greg Joseph doinked his point after try off the right upright, preventing Minnesota from drawing within three as it then trailed 27-23 with 4:34 left to play.

Minnesota's defense stiffened to force a Bills punt, giving the Vikings offense the ball back at their own 24 with 3:23, trailing 27-23. That's when the drama began. After, Bills linebacker Von Miller came through for his first sack of the game to put the Vikings in a fourth-and-18 situation as the two-minute warning hit. However, wide receiver Justin Jefferson had plans to showcase his hypothesis as to why Minnesota won the 2020 trade of Stefon Diggs and a seventh-round pick to the Bills in exchange for four draft picks, one of which became Jefferson 22nd overall in the ensuing NFL Draft. The third-year wideout finished with 10 receptions, a career-high 193 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 10, including the game-extending 32-yard gain on fourth-and-18 that made Odell Beckham Jr.'s one-handed catch against the Dallas Cowboys years ago look like child's play.

His performance on Sunday broke multiple NFL records as he totaled his 20th career game with 100 or more receiving yards as well as his seventh career game with 150 or more receiving yards. Both are the most such games through a player's first three seasons in NFL history, and Jefferson has eight more games left to play this season. His 193 receiving yards were the most by any Viking since teammate Adam Thielen's career-high of 202 yards in Week 16 of the 2016 season in a 38-25 loss at the Green Bay Packers. Jefferson made sure his career day wasn't going to be in vain as he caught two more passes on the drive to get Minnesota down to the Buffalo one with a minute left. He momentarily had his second receiving touchdown and what appeared to be the game-winner before a replay review ruled he was a yard short. 

The Vikings appeared to have come up short in their effort to secure a win after quarterback Kirk Cousins' sneak on fourth-and-goal was stuffed for no gain and a turnover on downs with 50 seconds left. 

The very next play the game turned around for the visitors in purple as Allen, backed up in his own end zone, fumbled an under-center snap on a sneak attempt of his own that linebacker Eric Kendricks recovered for the go-ahead touchdown, 30-27. 

The Bills regained possession on their own 32 with 36 seconds left and no timeouts trailing by three, an eerily similar scenario to what Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs faced against these Bills in the AFC divisional round last year. Allen pulled off his best impression of Mahomes' back-against-the-wall performance, getting kicker Tyler Bass in range for a game-tying, 29-yard field goal with five seconds left in only five plays. However, it was a controversial possession as Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis bobbled what was ruled as a 20-yard completion down the left sideline. Allen displayed some veteran savvy, quickly snapping the ball before any replay review could be initiated by the referees. 

Heading into overtime, the Vikings won the coin toss and elected to receive with the potential to win the game on a touchdown, which would have left Allen and the Bills with the same feeling they had at the end of the 2021 playoffs. Jefferson made it appear as if that was the direction Minnesota's opening possession was going as he secured a 24-yard deep ball to put the Vikings on the Bills' two. However, the Vikings went backwards from there as Cook was stuffed on his first down run for a loss of five, followed by Cousins absorbing a 10-yard sack on second-and-goal. Minnesota settled for a 33-yard field goal, needing one last stop. 

After consecutive Allen scrambles gained a combined 38 yards, the quarterback hit Diggs for two straight seven yard gains, and all of the sudden the Bills were in the red zone at the Vikings 20. The former Viking tied his season-high with 12 catches to go along with 128 receiving yards. Two plays later, the game was over as Peterson intercepted a scrambling Allen in the end zone for a second time. 

In the end, it was a sloppy performance for both Cousins (30-of-50 passing for 357 yards, one passing touchdown, two interceptions) and Allen (29-of-43 passing for 330 passing yards, one passing touchdown, two interceptions). The win improves the Vikings to 8-1 overall as their seventh straight victory allows them to keep pace with the 8-0 Philadelphia Eagles, who play Monday night against the Washington Commanders. The Bills fall to 6-3 overall and out of first place in the AFC East after consecutive defeats. 

Here are some takeaways from the wild OT win.

Why the Vikings won

The Vikings are the NFL's never-say-die team of the 2022 season. Three wins when trailing by double digits certifies their mental fortitude under first-year head coach Kevin O'Connell. However, it surely helps having a player who can make just about any catch in any moment, erasing complete failure on downs one through three like Jefferson can. His 32-yard catch on fourth-and-18 was the first of many Minnesota game-saving plays. Although the Vikings defense deserves plenty of credit as well, limiting the NFL's third-ranked scoring offense to only three points in the fourth quarter and overtime, leaving the space for Jefferson's heroics.

Minnesota went 6 of 8 in one-possession games a season ago in Mike Zimmer's final campaign as head coach, losing the most such games in the league. Now, the Vikes are 7-0 when a game is decided by the same margin under O'Connell, tied for the most such wins in the NFL this season with the New York Giants. Those seven one-possession wins through the first nine games are tied for the most by any team through nine games since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger. New coaching staff, new season, new vibes. 

Why the Bills lost

One of Josh Allen's biggest strengths is his ability to pull explosive plays out of thin air with both his arm and his legs. However, that same big-game hunting hurt the Bills in critical spots in their loss. Allen threw his first interception after Cook's 81-yard score on fourth down when even an incompletion would've been beneficial as the Vikings offense would've taken the field on their own seven. Peterson returned his first pick for 39 yards, and the Vikings scored another touchdown to draw within four. The last one lost the game. First-year offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and Allen need to sit down to chat about a happy medium between hitting big plays and forcing the football into bad spots. The Bills quarterback now leads the NFL with 10 interceptions, six of which have come in the last three games.  

Turning point

After the Vikings came up short on fourth-and-goal down by four at the end of regulation, it appeared the Bills had the game won. Eric Kendricks' fumble recovery of Allen's bobbled snap changed the game, putting the Vikings in the lead for the first time since the opening position when they were ahead 7-0. This play turned the Vikings from surefire losers on Sunday to eventual winners. 

Play of the game 

The play of the game couldn't be anything else besides Jefferson's game-saving, 32-yard catch. Yes, it's only a Week 10 game, but the degree of difficulty and the have-to-have-it nature of the play make the one-handed, arm wrestle of a catch immediately among some of the best the NFL has ever seen. 

What's next

The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Vikings as they return home for a Week 11 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, one the NFL's best defenses. The Bills remain at home to host the struggling 3-6 Cleveland Browns in front of Bills Mafia next week. 

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Patrick Peterson seals the game with his second end zone interception of Josh Allen to preserve a 33-30 Vikings win. Minnesota wins its seventh game in a row to improve to 8-1 this season while the Bills fall to 6-3 and out of first place in the AFC East. 

 
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The Vikings have to settle for a 33-yard field goal following Ed Oliver and Shaq Lawson combining to sack Kirk Cousins on second and goal. Bills on the Minnesota 27 with two minutes left in OT. 

 
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Justin Jefferson now has a career-high 193 receiving yards to put the Vikings on the goal line. 

 
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The Vikings win the toss and will start OT with the ball and the chance to win with a touchdown. 

 
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30-30, overtime in Buffalo between the Vikings and Bills. 

 
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Josh Allen leaves the Vikings feeling the way he felt as watched Patrick Mahomes send the game into overtime in the AFC Divisional Round a year ago without timeouts, helpless. The Bills go 55 yards in five plays in order for kicker Tyler Bass to drill the game-tying field goal with two seconds remaining in regulation. 

 
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The Vikings have taken the lead and overcome double-digit fourth quarter deficits in consecutive weeks! After being stonewalled on the goal line, their defense recovers a fumble on a botched snap for the go-ahead score. However, Greg Joseph's earlier missed PAT means the Bills only need a field goal to force overtime. 30-27 Minnesota with 41 seconds to go. The Bills are out of timeouts.  

 
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The Vikings have two potential game-winning touchdowns turned away by replay review as both Justin Jefferson's touchdown and the ruling that Kirk Cousins' quarterback sneak was short go against Minnesota. 

 
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WOW! Justin Jefferson does his best Odell Beckham Jr. impression to gain 32 yards on fourth and 18 to keep the game alive. 

 
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Need a defensive play in the clutch? That's what the Bills signed up for when handing 33-year-old Von Miller, a two-time Super Bowl champion, a six-year, $120 million contract in free agency. He comes up huge with his first sack of the game to put the Vikings in a fourth and 18 situation at the two-minute warning. 27-23 Bills with 2:00 left to play. 

 
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The Bills go three-and-out, giving the Vikings offense another chance to get back on the field, but this time with an opportunity to take their first lead since the opening possession of the game. 27-23 Bills with 3:26 left to play.  

 
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Vikings fullback C.J. Ham scores the second rushing touchdown of his career from three yards and his first since his rookie year back in Week 2 of the 2017 season at the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, kicker Greg Joseph hit the right upright with is PAT, keeping the Minnesota deficit at four, 27-23 with 4:28 left in the game. The miss could loom large on the result of this game.  

 
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Josh Allen now back on the bench. He took some punishment trying to force a fumble by Peterson after the interception with his bad elbow. 

 
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Patrick Peterson intercepts Josh Allen in the end zone on fourth and two from the seven for a critical stop for the Vikings. However, major concern for Josh Allen as he laid on the field, and the broadcast cut to commercial. 

 
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Josh Allen's throw to Stefon Diggs is corralled one-handed for a 25-yard gain on third and 15 to conclude the third quarter. 27-17 Bills with Buffalo near midfield to start the 4th quarter. The Vikings trailed by 10 early in the 4th quarter on the road a week ago at the Washington Commanders before coming all the way back to win on a field goal with no time remaining. 

 
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Dalvin Cook's 81-yard rushing touchdown is the longest carry in his career and the longest rushing touchdown by a Vikings player since Adrian Peterson in Week 15, 2012 (82 yards) against the Rams.  

 
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Dalvin Cook explodes for the second-half's first touchdown, an 81-yard sprint to the end zone down the left sideline. The Vikings pull closer, down 27-17, with 1:34 in the third quarter. It's the longest offensive play of the season for the Vikings. 

 
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The Bills drain a 45-yard field goal after the Vikings defense holds on third and two. 27-10 Bills with 1:51 left in the third quarter. 

 
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An interception and a punt for the Vikings and a punt for the Bills to open the third quarter. 24-10 Buffalo out in front with 6:12 left in the quarter. 

 
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A holding penalty hinders Buffalo's ability to capitalize on Kirk Cousins' second interception of the afternoon as the Bills reached third and one after an 18-yard completion to Stefon Diggs. However, Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith blows by the Bills offensive line for the first sack of Allen. Buffalo punts the ball back to Minnesota ahead by two touchdowns, 24-10.

 
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Just after picking up a third and five on a pass to Dalvin Cook, Cousins throws his second interception of the day on a pass intended for Justin Jefferson. Bills cornerback Dane Jackson steps in front of Cousins' late throw to force the turnover. Bills lead 24-10 as the Vikings come away with nothing on their first drive of the half. 

 
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Justin Jefferson's 19-yard reception gives him five catches for 105 receiving yards and a score today, marking his 20th career game with over 100 receiving yards. That breaks a tie with Hall of Famer Randy Moss and Odell Beckham Jr. for the most 100-yard games in a player's first three seasons in NFL history. 

 
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Halftime in Buffalo with the home team on top 24-10 at the break. Josh Allen looking good despite the elbow injury concerns, completing 14 of his 18 passes for 136 passing yards and a touchdown, an 11-yarder to Gabe Davis, while adding 46 rushing yards on three scrambles. Kirk Cousins had 143 passing yards, the opening drive 22-yard touchdown to Justin Jefferson, and an interception while completing 12 of his 21 pass attempts. 

 
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The Bills score another touchdown in 1:22, needing only five plays to get in the end zone following their defensive stand. Josh Allen throws his first score of the day, an 11-yarder to Gabe Davis. Allen's leg kickstarted the drive with a 25-yard scramble on the first play. 24-10 Bills with 28 seconds left before halftime. 

 
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The Bills hold on fourth and one on their own 28, forcing another Kirk Cousins incompletion to get the ball back to their offense. 17-10 Bills with 1:53 left in the half. 

 
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The call on the field of a fumble by Bills running back Devin Singletary stands, which means Vikings cornerback Camryn Bynum's 40-yard dash after the recovery has Minnesota set up on the Bills 37. 17-10 Bills with 3:15 left in the half. 

 
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The refs will review what was called on the field as a fumble by Bills running back Devin Singletary. Huge call as it appears the Vikings will have the ball in Buffalo territory if the call stands or is confirmed. 

 
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The Vikings drive is derailed by an offensive pass interference penalty on tight end T.J. Hockenson, so they settled for a Greg Joseph 27-yard field goal despite having first and goal on the Bills' two. 17-10 Bills out in front with 7:12 left in the half. 

 
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The Bills drive stalls in the red zone after consecutive incompletions, one of which was nearly a pick-six. Tyler Bass connects on a 34-yard field goal to extend Buffalo's lead to double-digits, 17-7, with 12:53 left in the first half. 

 
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins overthrew wide receiver K.J. Osborn, and it's intercepted by rookie cornerback Christian Benford, marking the first of the sixth-round pick's career. 14-7 Bills on top at the end of the first quarter.

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