The Buffalo Bills (6-1) are on a mission this year to get the job done in the regular season and regain the AFC East title after losing it last year to the New England Patriots. That's just the regular-season goal. The full-year goal is to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl and win it for the first time in team history.
This week's game against the Minnesota Vikings (6-1) represents the dramatic positioning of the Bills as the best offensive team in the NFL meeting the best defense in the league. The Monday night setting at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis means the whole world — at least from the NFL's perspective — will be watching.
In addition to the best vs. best aspect, the game also features the Bills' struggling defense against the Vikings moribund offense. If either one of those units can step up in this game, it could go a long way towards determining the winner of this matchup.
Both sides have significant injuries. The homestanding Vikings have benched starting QB Kyler Murray because he has a hamstring injury and backup Carson Wentz has been tapped on the shoulder by head coach Kevin O'Connell to start the game.
Offensive line issues have hit the Bills
The Bills have a slew of injuries, primarily on the offensive line. Three of the Bills starters on the offensive line are listed on the team's substantial injury report. They include left tackle Dion Dawkins, left guard Alec Anderson and right tackle Spencer Brown.
Dawkins missed practice throughout the week, and sat out the last three days, including Saturday with a rib injury. He is listed as doubtful on the injury report.
Anderson has an ankle issue. While he did not practice Thursday or Friday, he was on the field in a limited fashion Saturday with his teammates. The Bills also list him as questionable.
Brown seems to be in a much better position than either of the other two offensive linemen. He has a back injury, but he was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. He jumped up to a full participant Saturday.
Josh Allen needs solid OL performance against Vikings' relentless D
The Bills have not seen a defense like the one the Vikings present on an every-game basis. Their blitzing ways is a challenge for every opposing quarterback and offensive coordinator, and that means it should be somewhat difficult for Allen and Pete Carmichael Jr.
However, Allen is capable of delivering big plays even when he is under pressure. If the Vikings pass rush that consists of key sackers Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel get their hands on Allen, they must put him on the ground. It is much tougher to finish a sack on Allen than nearly any quarterback in the league because of his size and strength.
The Vikings will undoubtedly try to target the left side of the Buffalo line where Dawkins and Anderson are playing. Even if both are in the lineup for the Bills, neither one is likely to be at their best. Their backups are likely to be Tylan Grable and Jude Bowry, and both have played quite well to this point. They may be able to hold up based on their recent improvement.
In addition to the offensive line issues that the Bills are going to try to overcome, nose tackle Greg Gaines is questionable with a calf injury and wide receiver Josh Palmer is out with a hamstring issue.
Bills will feature TE Dalton Kincaid, but star tight end is not 100 percent
Dalton Kincaid is regularly Allen's favorite receiver, but it seems even more likely that he will take on a key role against the blitzing Vikings. Kincaid leads the Bills with 27 receptions for 401 yards and 2 touchdowns. He is dangerous after the catch, as 148 yards have come after he makes the reception. Additionally, he has 8 plays of 20 yards or more.
TE Dawson Knox is Kincaid's partner in crime. Kincaid is clearly the primary pass catcher of the duo, but Knox could be active in Monday night in the passing game. He has 9-42-1 to this point, but Allen may be looking his way if he needs to get rid of the ball quickly.
The Vikings were vulnerable against the run in their Week 8 loss to the Detroit Lions. In that game, the Vikings offense could not stay on the field and the Lions were able to unleash Jahmyr Gibbs for 153 yards and backup Sione Vaki for 65 yards.
The Bills will undoubtedly attempt to do the same thing with James Cook, who has rushed for 707 yards while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. The one fear that head coach Joe Brady has with Cook is his tendency to fumble. He has been charged with 4 fumbles this season, and opponents have recovered two of them.