Buffalo Bills vs Minnesota Vikings

All set

Seems like the Bills head coach Sean McDermott has most of the things figured out already. At least when it comes to the offensive side of the ball. Josh Allen is the starter. Matt Barkley cemented his role as a backup with a very strong preseason. They only have one other quarterback on the team, who is expected to play this entire game.

I am talking about undrafted rookie Tyree Jackson. It is no surprise that the Bills signed him once he went undrafted. This front office and the coaching staff covet this type of player at the position. A local product from the University of Buffalo is a huge specimen, measuring at 6'7'' and 250lbs. Josh Allen whom they drafted as 7th overall last year is similarly built and let's not forget that both GM Brandon Beane and HC Sean McDermott came from Carolina, where they worked with Cam Newton. Unfortunately, Jackson didn't show much so far, besides being very raw as a passer and his passing stats are reflecting that. He completed only 8 passes out of 24 tries for 140 yards (0 TD, 1 INT). This will be his last chance to prove he is worth being stashed on the practice squad. But trying to do that against Mike Zimmer's defense might not be the most favorable situation for him.

Defensively, they are pretty good. 3-0 so far this preseason, allowing under 17 points per game. Trademark of McDermott's defense was always playing fast and being very tough. They have nice depth along the defensive line and at the cornerback position.

Stubbornness

It is one of the adjectives that can be used when describing Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. It is his way or no way. That line of thinking did him no favors last year, when Vikings missed out on playoffs, ending the season with an 8-7-1 record. He was extremely stubborn about having a run-heavy offense, even though that was very difficult to pull off with one of the worst O-lines in the league. His offensive coordinator at the time (John DeFillipo) tried to use the potent passing game to set up some run plays, not the other way around. It made sense, considering that the Vikings have maybe even the best wide receiving duo in the league (Thielen-Diggs), accompanied by Kyle Rudolph at tight end and Kirk Cousins who was brought in (on a first-ever fully guaranteed deal), to run the show. Zimmer fired DeFilippo after the week 14 loss to Seahawks, lost the week 17 game vs Chicago and missed out on playoffs.

The current matter is not that crucial. It's about the backup QB competition between Sean Mannion and Kyle Sloter. The later is clearly outplaying the former, but Zimmer seems to be unwilling to switch them, just because the fans and the media are thinking he should do so. To be honest, Mannion was not doing that bad either. 24 out of 36 passes completed for 247 yards (2 TD, 1 INT). But Sloter was nothing short of spectacular with 85.2 completion %, 280 yards and 3 touchdowns without a pick. 10.4 yards per play is a pretty impressive stat as well.

Bills vs Vikings best bet

I am leaning towards the under. I don't think Buffalo can muster a lot on offense with Tyree Jackson under the center. He has a big arm and can throw downfield, but there will not be enough of those plays to sustain drives and consistently put the points on the board. Minnesota hasn't announced anything about who's playing tonight and how much. And considering that Zimmer doesn't think there is a competition between Mannion and Sloter, we could see some Jake Browning in the second half. So, Jackson, Browning, two solid defenses... Under is the play.