One Stat Recap: Buffalo Bills vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Buffalo Bills beat the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in the largest upset the NFL has seen since 1995. They did so, in large part, thanks to their red-hot start. Both the offense and the defense combined to give the Bills a 17-point first-quarter margin.

Josh Allen and the offense were three for three on possessions in the opening quarter. Two Allen rushing touchdowns and a Stephen Hauschka field goal gave the Bills 17 points—the most they’ve scored in a first quarter since the 2011 season. The defense was on fire as well, causing two fumbles and forcing a punt on Minnesota’s third first-quarter possession.

Heading into Sunday, teams with a 17-point or greater first-quarter margin are 287-26-1 in NFL history. As mentioned above, the last time the Bills started a game that well was that 2011 season game. That one ended poorly with the New England Patriots winning 49-21. On Sunday the story was much different. The Bills earned their first win of the season and made it into the NFL record books in the process.