Bernard’s late pick-six seals Bills’ first win in 38-25 victory over Vikings

Minneapolis, MN - Buffalo finally has its first victory, and Terrel Bernard supplied a striking closing-minute image. Bernard returned an interception 61 yards for a touchdown with 43 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter as the Bills defeated the Minnesota Vikings 38-25 in Week 9.

The result ended Buffalo's seven-game losing streak and moved the Bills to 1-7 after an 0-7 start. Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes, the offense produced 506 yards and Buffalo's defense intercepted Kyler Murray twice in a performance that gave the Bills the breakthrough they had been seeking.

"You carry every one of those losses with you, so getting the first win means a lot," Allen said. "We had balance, James and Ray were productive, and we connected when opportunities were there. Now we have to build from it."

The opening quarter featured three touchdown passes. Allen found Ray Davis for a 19-yard score with 4:57 remaining, while Murray connected with Jauan Jennings on a 35-yard touchdown at the 2:44 mark. Allen added a 32-yard scoring pass to Joshua Palmer with 1:01 left in the quarter.

Allen finished 21 of 26 for 298 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, posting a 136.8 passer rating. His efficiency contrasted with a higher-volume outing from Murray, who completed 21 of 43 attempts for a game-high 357 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Murray's passer rating was 65.7.

Buffalo's fourth-quarter scoring included contributions from both of its leading running backs. Davis scored on a 7-yard run with 9:19 remaining, adding to a day in which he rushed for 96 yards on 12 carries. Jordan Mason recorded a 9-yard rushing touchdown for Minnesota at the 8:31 mark.

At 7:09, Allen connected with James Cook III for a 54-yard touchdown. It was the game's longest completion and longest reception, and it highlighted Cook's production in two phases of the offense. Cook ran for a game-high 132 yards on 13 carries and led Buffalo with 78 receiving yards.

"I like being able to contribute in different ways," Cook said. "Whether it's a carry or a catch, I'm trying to turn every opportunity into something useful for the offense. We needed this result."

Buffalo finished with 231 rushing yards compared with Minnesota's 104. Cook had the game's longest rush at 34 yards, while Davis' 96-yard performance gave the Bills two productive options out of the backfield. The rushing output complemented Buffalo's 275 team passing yards and helped produce its 506-yard offensive total.

Minnesota generated 461 offensive yards and matched Buffalo with 24 first downs. Jennings led all receivers with 114 yards, while Mason recorded a game-high 20 rushing attempts and finished with 101 yards. Murray also scored on a 3-yard run with 1:53 remaining in the fourth quarter.

"The yardage doesn't mean much when the result goes the other way," Murray said. "I have to be more consistent and do a better job taking care of the ball. We moved it, but we didn't get the outcome we wanted."

The Vikings recorded three sacks and intercepted Allen once, while Buffalo finished without a sack but collected two interceptions. The Bills converted 4 of 9 third downs, compared with Minnesota's 4-for-12 showing. Bernard's 61-yard return then added another Buffalo touchdown in the closing minute.

For the Bills, the most important number was one: their first victory after seven consecutive defeats. Allen's three touchdown passes, a 231-yard rushing performance and two defensive interceptions accompanied Buffalo's long-awaited change in the win column.

Up Next

Buffalo will visit the New York Jets in Week 10 looking to follow up its first win, while Minnesota travels to face the Green Bay Packers after falling to 3-5.