Josh Allen ties Manning record as Bills grind out 23-6 victory

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen tied a 10-year NFL record for touchdown plays with a 23-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. The win moves the Bills to 7-1 on the season. Allen finished the game with 322 regular-season touchdowns, matching Peyton Manning for the most by a player in his first 10 years of pro football. Allen is currently in the middle of his ninth season.

The game was defined by Buffalo's ability to control the clock against a high-pressure defense. The Bills held the ball for 42 minutes and 32 seconds. They scored only 17 points in the second half. Running back James Cook carried the ball 31 times for 107 yards. Cook also scored a late touchdown to seal the win. He described the effort as a bloody game where the team had to stick with their plan.

Minnesota entered the game with a league-leading defensive record but faced a shaky performance from their quarterback. Kyler Murray sat out with a hamstring injury. Carson Wentz started in his place. Wentz was 8 for 25 for 81 yards and threw three turnovers. He was replaced by Max Brosmer midway through the fourth quarter. Wentz completed only one of his eight passes in the second half. The Vikings finished with just 178 total yards of offense.

Buffalo's special teams unit provided a decisive edge. Kicker Tyler Bass made three field goals. This extends his franchise-record streak to 24 consecutive successful attempts. Defensive backs Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams each recorded an interception. The Bills also forced a fumble on a backward pass from Wentz that was too high for wide receiver Justin Jefferson to catch.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell took full responsibility for the offensive struggles. He said the team needed to improve at a rapid pace. O'Connell admitted he should have called more running plays. Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones combined for only 11 carries. Jefferson had three catches for 58 yards on 11 targets. He said it is up to the players to make plays regardless of who is throwing the ball.

The Bills next play the New York Jets on Sunday. The Vikings host Green Bay on the same day. Both teams will look to bounce back from a game that highlighted the gap between their current rosters.