Vikings vs. Bills: As upsets go, this one was a whopper
The Vikings 27-6 loss to the Bills on Sunday afternoon was historically bad. In fact, it was the NFLs worst upset loss since Dec. 3, 1995.
You read that right. The Vikings opened as 16 andfrac12;-point favorites against the previously winless Bills, who had been outscored by a combined 78-23 in two losses this season.
NFL teams favored by that much entering a regular season game were a combined 34-0 since late in the 1995 season, when the reigning Super Bowl-champion Dallas Cowboys, as 17-point favorites, were upset by the Washington Redskins, according to Pro Football Reference.
The previous four upsets of 16 andfrac12;-point favorites all came by one score, so the Vikings 21-point loss is by far the biggest drubbing of a heavy favorite since 1978, when Pro Football Reference notes the first such lopsided NFL favorite.
As far as getting punched in the mouth, running back Latavius Murray said, its right up there for the worst there is for me.
Griffen misses game for personal matter
Defensive end Everson Griffen was not at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday as he deals with a personal matter, according to coach Mike Zimmer. The 30-year-old Griffen had already been ruled out of the game due to a knee injury that the Vikings say kept him from practicing all week. It was just Griffens third missed start since he became a starter in 2014.
Hes having a personal matter and Im going to leave it at that, Zimmer said.
Defensive miscommunication
For the third straight week, an opposing tight end had a big play against the Vikings. Zimmer called Bills tight end Jason Crooms 26-yard touchdown catch and run a miscommunication as linebacker Eric Kendricks was among the Vikings defenders trailing the play.
Just things happen. Offenses scheme for us, we game plan for them, Kendricks said. Its about the adjustments you make. We have to communicate better on defense.
Boone led, with 11 rushing yards
With Dalvin Cook out due to a hamstring injury, rookie running back Mike Boone suited up for his first NFL game and led the Vikings with 11 rushing yards. The Vikings called just four running plays in a game where they trailed 17-0 by the end of the first quarter. Boone became the first undrafted rookie since Jeff Womack in 1987 to lead the Vikings in rushing yards.
Its one of those things where the game got out of hand quickly, fullback C.J. Ham said. We definitely then had to lean on the pass a little more.
Waynes to get MRI on ankle
Cornerback Trae Waynes nearly came up with an interception off Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Waynes injured his right ankle on the play. He was ruled out for the game. Waynes will undergo an MRI on Monday, according to Zimmer.
Green inducted into Ring of Honor
Former Vikings coach Dennis Green was inducted as the 24th member of the teams Ring of Honor on Sunday, his name unveiled just below sections 346 and 347 near the pivoting glass doors of U.S. Bank Stadium. Greens son, Zach, sounded the Gjallarhorn before kickoff against the Bills.