The Bills vs Vikings Monday Night matchup brings together two of the NFL‘s last unbeaten-but-one teams when Buffalo (6-1) visits Minnesota (6-1) on Monday, Nov. 9 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m.
ET on ESPN and ABC. The biggest question entering the week is whether Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray will be able to go after being listed as questionable with hamstring soreness.
Bills Vs Vikings Monday Night Game Information
- Date: Monday, Nov. 9
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
- TV/Streaming: ESPN, ABC
- Weather: 51 degrees Fahrenheit, 1% chance of precipitation
Both teams sit atop their divisions at 6-1, with Buffalo leading the AFC East and Minnesota leading the NFC North. The Vikings have won their division race largely on defense, allowing the fewest points in their group, while the Bills have leaned on one of the league’s most prolific offenses to post a league-best plus-52 scoring differential through seven games.
Is Kyler Murray Going To Play
Murray is listed as questionable with hamstring soreness, according to the official injury report, and his status is one of the headline storylines of the week, as detailed in Total Apex Sports’ earlier report on the hamstring issue. Through seven games, Murray has completed 100 of 154 passes for 1,022 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. If he is unable to go, Minnesota’s offense, which already ranks near the bottom of the league in yards per game, would face an even steeper challenge against a Buffalo defense that has forced 9 takeaways this season.
How Banged Up Is Buffalo’s Offensive Line And Receiving Corps
The Bills enter the week with five players listed as questionable, including both starting tackles. Dion Dawkins (ribs) and Alec Anderson (ankle) carry questionable tags, along with receivers Keon Coleman (shoulder) and DJ Moore (shoulder) and safety Sam Franklin Jr. (illness). Buffalo has already been without cornerback Dorian Strong and receiver Tyrell Shavers, both listed as out, according to Total Apex Sports’ report on Strong’s status and the team’s report on Shavers being ruled out. If Coleman and Moore are limited or sidelined, quarterback Josh Allen would have fewer options outside of tight end Dalton Kincaid, who leads the team with 27 catches for 401 yards.
Who Replaces Impact Players If They Sit
Minnesota is also managing injuries beyond Murray’s. Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (chest), receiver Jauan Jennings (calf), safety Jay Ward (knee) and running back Demond Claiborne (knee) are all listed as questionable. Running back Aaron Jones Sr. has carried the rushing load with 110 attempts for 458 yards and two touchdowns, and receiver Justin Jefferson remains the focal point of the passing game with 28 catches, 335 yards and four touchdowns.
Buffalo, meanwhile, is also missing safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson under a suspension, a situation Total Apex Sports has tracked in its report on the Gardner-Johnson suspension status, after an appeal was upheld.
Bills Outlook
Buffalo arrives having won four of its last five games, including a 36-10 rout of the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 1 and an overtime win at the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 13. Allen has thrown for 1,793 yards and 11 touchdowns against five interceptions, and the Bills’ offense ranks at the top of the league in scoring at 33.3 points per game. The red zone numbers stand out most: Buffalo has scored on 100% of its red zone trips this season, with a 70.00% touchdown rate once inside the 20. James Cook III has carried a heavy rushing workload with 138 attempts for 707 yards and seven touchdowns, giving the Bills balance to go with Allen’s arm.
The concern for Buffalo is ball security. The Bills have given away the ball 11 times this season against only 9 takeaways, leaving them at minus-2 in turnover differential, a steep contrast with Minnesota’s plus-7 mark.
Vikings Outlook
Minnesota has built its 6-1 record on defense and discipline rather than offensive volume. The Vikings rank last among the two teams in total yards per game at 299.3 but have forced 12 takeaways against only 5 giveaways, the plus-7 turnover margin that leads this matchup. Minnesota is coming off a 19-15 loss at the Detroit Lions on Nov. 1, snapping a four-game winning streak that included wins over Tampa Bay, Miami, New Orleans and Indianapolis.
If Murray cannot play, the Vikings would be leaning further on a running game led by Jones and a defense that has allowed the fewest points in the NFC North. Minnesota’s offense has scored touchdowns on just 56.25% of its red zone trips, the weakest red zone conversion rate between the two teams.
Key Matchup
Buffalo’s offensive line, already dealing with questionable tags for both Dawkins and Anderson, will be tested by a Vikings defense that has racked up 25 sacks and 50 tackles for loss through seven games. Minnesota’s pass rush has been a key driver of the team’s turnover differential, and protecting Allen behind a patchwork line will be critical if the Bills want to sustain their average of 33.3 points per game. On the other side, if Murray is limited or out, Buffalo’s defense, which has notched 15 sacks and intercepted passes for an average of 23.8 return yards, will look to pressure whoever starts at quarterback for Minnesota.
Players To Watch
Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Allen has completed 65.9% of his passes for 1,793 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, posting a 101.1 passer rating. His ability to extend plays could matter even more if Buffalo’s tackle depth is thinned by injury.
Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson leads the Vikings with 28 catches for 335 yards and four touchdowns. With Jennings questionable, Jefferson’s role as Minnesota’s top target becomes even more significant regardless of who plays quarterback.
James Cook III, RB, Buffalo Bills
Cook has carried the ball 138 times for 707 yards and seven touchdowns this season. A productive rushing attack would help take pressure off an offensive line facing uncertainty at both tackle spots.
What To Watch
Both teams own identical 6-1 records and sit atop their respective divisions, making this a direct measuring-stick game between conference contenders. Minnesota’s turnover-margin advantage and Buffalo’s scoring advantage represent the clearest statistical contrast entering the week. Murray’s final status, confirmed closer to kickoff, will shape how much Minnesota can lean on its passing game against a Bills defense that has generated takeaways at a lower rate than its opponent this season.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
