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Aside from a sack each from Marcel Dareus and Kyle Williams it was a rough first series for the Bills' defense. Christian Ponder carved them up through the air, recording 55 yards on just three passes. Minnesota punched it in from the one yard line to take the one touchdown lead.
The Vikings moved through the air with ease on their second drive as well. However, the Bills tightened up in the red zone to force a field goal, making it a 10-0 lead for Minnesota in the first.
The Bills' offense finally got on the scoreboard with about nine minutes to go in the second quarter. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Donald Jones hooked up for a 31 yard catch and run to cut the lead down to 10-7. Minnesota followed up with a field goal on their next drive to make it 13-7.
Rookie kicker Blair Walsh was true again, this time from 45 yards out to increase Minnesota's lead to 16-7.
Buffalo's offense came out swinging in the second half. Vince Young hit TJ Graham for a 64 yard bomb, and Tashard Choice followed up with a two yard touchdown run a few plays later to make the score 16-14 in Minnesota's favor.
Minnesota responded with another Walsh field goal to increase the lead to 19-14. He notched his fifth of the night late in fourth quarter to make it 22-14.
The Vikings poured it on late in the game as Audie Cole picked off Tyler Thigpen and ran it back 20 yards for a score. Minnesota's lead increased to 29-14. Cole managed a repeat performance on the very next defensive play, picking off Brad Smith and running it back 30 yards for the score to make it 36-14.
TEAM STATS BUF MIN
| First Downs | 15 | 18 | |
| Total Yards | 317 | 421 | |
| Passing Yards | 249 | 261 | |
| Rushing Yards | 68 | 160 | |
| Penalties (Yds) | 7(55) | 3(25) | |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 | |
| Punts (AVG) | 6(40) | 3(37) | |
| Time of Pos. | 28:19 | 31:41 |
TOP PERFORMERS
| MIN | ||||
| Passing | CP/AT | YDS | TD | INT |
| C. Ponder | 10/13 | 136 | 1 | 0 |
| Rushing | CAR | YDS | TD | LG |
| J. Webb | 2 | 64 | 0 | 41 |
| Receiving | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
| J. Simpson | 3 | 43 | 0 | 33 |