Buffalo wins without the fireworks: Cook and the defense beat Minnesota 23-6
Buffalo’s Monday Night game on November 9 ended with a workmanlike road victory: 23-6 over the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The NFL’s official Week 9 schedule confirms the final score and the teams’ records: 7-1 for the Bills and 6-2 for Minnesota.[1][3]
The difference was less about spectacular plays than keeping the ball and limiting the opponent’s opportunities. Buffalo’s official recap records a 42:32 to 17:28 advantage in possession, three forced turnovers and no successful conversions on Minnesota’s seven third downs.[2]
James Cook supplied the continuity: 31 carries, 107 yards and a touchdown. His five-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter extended the lead to 20-6 before the final field goal.[2] That is also the thread in Gazzetta’s account: Buffalo relied on patience and the running game rather than asking Josh Allen to manufacture everything himself.[1]
Allen still delivered a crucial play before halftime, finding Keleki Latu for a 25-yard touchdown, the first of the tight end’s career according to the club.[2] At the other end, Carson Wentz completed eight of 25 passes for 81 yards and two interceptions, as Minnesota suffered a second straight defeat.[1][2]
The night illustrated a practical difference: Buffalo can win by controlling the pace, while Minnesota’s defensive resistance cannot make up for an offense that struggles to move the ball.[1][2] [Official NFL result and schedule](https://www.nfl.com/schedules/2026/by-week/week-9).
## Sources
[1] https://www.gazzetta.it/Sport-Usa/10-11-2026/nfl-monday-night-buffalo-minnesota-wentz.shtml — Gazzetta: Buffalo-Minnesota
[2] https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-23-vikings-6-final-score-recap-highlights — Bills official recap
[3] https://www.nfl.com/schedules/2026/by-week/week-9 — NFL official results