Josh Allen and the Bills move to 7-1 with a 23-6 win over the sputtering Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Josh Allen threw a touchdown pass with 44 seconds left before halftime, James Cook rushed 31 times for 107 yards and a late score, and the Buffalo Bills beat Minnesota 23-6 on Monday night, sending Vikings deeper into their unrelenting offensive slump.

Linebackers Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams had interceptions and Tyler Bass made three field goals to stretch his franchise-record streak to 24 straight as the Bills (7-1) matched their best eight-game start since 1993. That season ended with their last of four straight Super Bowl losses.

With Kyler Murray sidelined by a hamstring injury, Carson Wentz started at quarterback for the Vikings (6-2) and didn't finish what became one of the worst performances of his 11-year career. Wentz went 8 for 25 for 81 yards and three turnovers, including a backward pass in the first quarter that was thrown too high for even Justin Jefferson to catch it — resulting in a lost fumble near midfield.

Wentz, who was checked out in the medical tent at one point for an apparent lower leg injury, was replaced by Max Brosmer midway through the fourth quarter. Wentz completed 1 of 8 passes in the second half.

The battle of Buffalo's highest-scoring offense in the league against the least-scored-on defense might well have gone to Minnesota had the offense been able to muster a decent drive or two.

But the Vikings had four straight possessions in the first half start beyond their 40-yard line, and the furthest they made it was the Bills 48.

The Vikings as usual sent blitzers at Allen from every angle possible, recording four sacks and an interception of a heave into the end zone that Byron Murphy ran down and returned 55 yards. But the Bills eked out just enough in the first half to give themselves a cushion, when Allen found tight end Keleki Latu open in the back of the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown as he rolled right and was hit hard by Andrew Van Ginkel.

With 322 regular-season touchdowns — 232 passing, 88 rushing and two receiving — Allen tied Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history over a player's first 10 years. Allen is halfway through his ninth season.

Bills: Starting LT Dion Dawkins (ribs) and starting LG Alec Anderson (ankle) were inactive.

Vikings: WR Jauan Jennings (calf) and FS Theo Jackson (quadriceps) were inactive.

Bills: At the New York Jets on Sunday.

Vikings: At Green Bay on Sunday.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, left, drops a backwards pass recovered by the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and tight end Keleki Latu (83) celebrate a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) grimaces as he walks off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Minneapolis, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) escapes pressures by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Leon Draisaitl scored twice, Connor McDavid also had a goal and the Edmonton Oilers held off the New York Rangers 3-1 on Monday night to sweep their season series.

Devon Levi made 28 saves in improving to 8-1-0 for the Oilers (13-3-3), who won 4-1 in New York on Nov. 1.

Jaroslav Chmelar scored a short-handed goal for the Rangers (10-8-1), who had won three straight games. Dylan Garand stopped 17 shots, but gave away the puck to McDavid for an easy, unassisted goal that opened the scoring 6:42 into the first period.

McDavid leads the NHL with 48 points (11 goals, 37 assists). The three-time MVP became the fourth player in league history with a 19-game point streak to begin a season, joining Wayne Gretzky, Dany Heatley and Mats Sundin.

For the first time this season, however, McDavid failed to record an assist — ending his record-setting streak to start a season at 18 games.

Draisaitl scored on a snap shot at 2:59 of the second for a 2-0 lead.

Just more than two minutes later, the Rangers killed off a brief 5-on-3 Edmonton power play and Mika Zibanejad sprung Chmelar on a breakaway as he exited the penalty box. Chmelar beat Levi for his second goal of the season.

New York pulled Garand for an extra skater late in the third and drew a penalty that produced a 6-on-4 advantage. Draisaitl picked off a soft backpass and lofted the puck into an empty net from his own zone for his NHL-best 18th goal.

That extended his goal-scoring streak to four games and his point streak to six.

Edmonton is 11-0-2 when scoring first. The Rangers are 0-7-1 when allowing the first goal, making them the only team in the league without a win after falling behind at the outset.

Rangers: Visit the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.

Oilers: Host the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid, second from front left, celebrates after a goal against the New York Rangers during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (Codie McLachlan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' goaltender Devon Levi (27) makes a save against New York Rangers' Tye Kartye (24) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (Codie McLachlan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Mattias Ekholm (14) fights against New York Rangers' Tye Kartye (24) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (Codie McLachlan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29) and Connor McDavid (97) celebrate after Draisaitl's goal against the New York Rangers during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (Codie McLachlan/The Canadian Press via AP)

Edmonton Oilers' Ty Emberson (49) hits New York Rangers' Noah Laba (42) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (Codie McLachlan/The Canadian Press via AP)