Buffalo quarterback J.P. Losman did
just enough to provide the Bills with enough points to hold off
another comeback by the Minnesota Vikings.
Losman passed for 222 yards and a touchdown and set up another
score with a 15-yard scramble Sunday and Buffalo beat Minnesota
17-12 when the clock ran out with the Vikings on the Bills' 16-yard
line.
A week ago, Losman had three turnovers in a loss to the New York
Jets, but the second-year starter completed 23 of 32 passes to help
the Bills (2-2) snap a four-game home losing streak.
Peerless Price scored on an eight-yard touchdown catch and Willis
McGahee scored on a one-yard plunge _ only his second TD in 14
games.
The Vikings (2-2) didn't have enough time produce another
come-from-behind victory after winning their first two games this
season in the final minute or in overtime.
Brad Johnson's 29-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Robinson with
three minutes left cut Buffalo's lead to 17-12. Then, Johnson
marched Minnesota 67 yards in the final 1:39, but the drive ended
when the clock ran out with the Vikings, who were out of time outs,
on the 16.
Minnesota did have its chances, though, the best coming when
Johnson found Robinson wide open up the right sideline only to have
the ball fall off the receiver's fingers.
Another score, however, might have been too much to ask from a
sputtering Vikings offence, which entered the game with just two TDs
all season. Robinson's score, in fact, was the first produced by
Minnesota's offence in 13-plus quarters.
Johnson finished 25-of-44 for 267 yards and two interceptions.
Chester Taylor was limited to 23 yards rushing while Robinson led
Vikings receivers with 78 yards.
Outside of generating 122 yards offence on their final two
possessions, the Vikings had difficulty moving the ball.
Minnesota had 14 first downs, converted only 2-of-13 third-down
attempts and had five three-and-outs. That included four consecutive
first-half possessions in which they managed 19 yards and squandered
opportune field position with three of those drives starting at
Minnesota's 43 or better.
Up 7-6, the Bills took control on their first possession of the
second, when Losman led an 11-play, 68-yard drive, capped by Price's
heads-up touchdown.
Facing second-and-goal from the 8, Price had to go down to his
knees to scoop Losman's low pass. Price got up in time to elude Fred
Smoot's tackle, and then followed his blocks up the right sideline
for a score.
Rian Lindell hit two field goals, including a 44-yarder. Ryan
Longwell, who has now produced 39 of Minnesota's 63 points this
season, also hit two field goals.
Bills right guard Chris Villarrial hurt his right leg in the
second quarter and did not return. Tests revealed he had a high
ankle sprain.
Minnesota safety Darren Sharper hurt his left quadriceps in the
second half and did not return.
Security was increased with Sen. Hillary Clinton and her husband,
former President Bill Clinton, attending the game and sat in team
owner Ralph Wilson's suite.