Tale of the tape: Bills were able to find solutions to Vikings blitz as game progressed

The Buffalo Bills learned firsthand that more blockers doesn’t guarantee better protection. The Minnesota Vikings defense entered the game blitzing an NFL-high 71% of the time, more than double the league average. And the Bills came out with a game plan that respected the blitz and the chaos it created. Throughout much of the first half, the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense outdueled the league’s top scoring offense. A combination of miscommunication on the offensive line — which was without left tackle Dion Dawkins (rib) and left guard Alec Anderson (ankle) — a glitch in the game plan and quarterback Josh Allen playing hurriedly caused the passing game to sputter. But the Bills gradually started to find a rhythm and produced a big scoring drive that ended with an Allen-to-Keleki Latu 25-yard touchdown pass before halftime in a 23-6 win. Allen went 6 of 11 for 44 yards, an interception and three sacks against the Minnesota blitz during the first half, but turned it around in the second half to go 6 of 9 for 64 yards and a sack when the Vikings sent five or more rushers. One way the Bills sparked their passing game was by stepping away from heavy protection schemes. Having more blockers may seem like a grand idea to protect Allen, but it actually was what the Vikings wanted them to do. Minnesota tricks opponents into locking in their protection rules before sending unblocked pressure from unexpected angles. Even if there are more blockers than rushers, it’s hard to shift once the protection is set. And if the offense commits six (or more) blockers for five rushers, the Vikings have more defenders than the offense has receivers in the pattern. Bills coach Joe Brady only sent five receivers out 10 times in the game against the blitz, but they were effective. With six or more blockers, Allen went 4 of 12 for 40 yards, with an interception and two sacks. On plays with just five blockers, Allen went 8 of 8 for 71 yards and two sacks. On first down from their own 15-yard line in the second quarter, the Bills tried to run a play-action pass. The protection was faulty, as a miscommunication between left guard Austin Corbett and left tackle Tylan Grable allowed Minnesota defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins to split them. But the bigger problem was that the Bills only had two receivers in the pattern — both beyond the sticks — and the Vikings had five in coverage. Had a check-down or underneath option been available, Allen could have released the ball quickly to avoid being sacked. “I don’t think we were (efficient on first down) in the first half,” Allen said. “In the second half, I thought we wore down on them and skipped some third downs. … Second and long, they’re getting to their third down menu, they’re making it really tough for opposing offenses. The best way out of that is stay out of second-and-long, third-and-long situations.” With 4:04 left in the third quarter, the Bills got a first down at their own 39 and once again went with a play-action pass. The Vikings only sent five, but the Bills only used five to block them. The protection was more in sync, with a nifty wrinkle that saw Corbett pull to the right edge and block outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy. And while the Vikings still had a one-man advantage in the secondary, spacing gave Allen multiple options. Allen could have hit D.J. Moore in the right flat or Ray Davis in the left flat. He also had tight end Dawson Knox over the middle. Throws to Moore and Knox likely would have netted a first down, but Allen also had Khalil Shakir running open 10 yards behind Knox and he delivered it for an easy 22-yard gain. In a clash between high-powered offense and elite defense, patience ultimately determined the winner — and the Bills outlasted Minnesota.