Dec 31, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) encourages the crowd to cheer in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium.
Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
The Buffalo Bills reached a franchise milestone Monday night after controlling the Minnesota Vikings in a 23-6 road victory at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Bills held the Vikings out of the end zone and controlled possession for 42:32, limiting the Vikings to 178 total yards while forcing three turnovers. The win also added another notable chapter to Buffalo’s strong start under first-year head coach Joe Brady.
Buffalo Bills PR underscored the achievement on X, formerly Twitter, shortly after the final whistle, putting the team’s red-hot start into perspective.
The Bills have improved to 7-1, marking the team's best start since 1993 (7-1). pic.twitter.com/l1QvxdcF51
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) November 10, 2026
The victory improved Buffalo to 7-1, marking the franchise’s best start since the 1993 Bills also opened 7-1. That team eventually finished 12-4, won the AFC and reached the Super Bowl.
Josh Allen completed 21 of 31 passes for 234 yards, one touchdown and one interception against a Minnesota defense that entered Monday allowing an NFL-low 13.3 points per game.
Allen connected with rookie tight end Keleki Latu for a 25-yard touchdown late in the first half, giving Latu the first touchdown reception of his career.
James Cook helped Buffalo put the game away in the fourth quarter. He finished with 107 rushing yards on 31 carries and scored on a five-yard run that extended the Bills’ lead.
Buffalo also converted its defensive takeaways into field-position advantages, keeping Minnesota from mounting any sustained second-half comeback on its home field.
The Bills’ defense also held Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz to 81 passing yards and intercepted him twice.
The Bills now sit at 7-1 under Brady, matching a start Buffalo had not produced in 33 years and strengthening its position atop the AFC East.