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Bills score 3 TDs in final 4 minutes to beat Vikings 27-23
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Aside from a stunning comeback to close Buffalo's first perfect preseason in franchise history, the Bills have even more promising news on the horizon.
General manager Brandon Beane announced during Buffalo's 27-23 win over Minnesota on Thursday that starting center Mitch Morse has been cleared after spending the past month in the NFL's concussion protocol.
Morse was Buffalo's key free-agent addition in an offseason overhaul of the offensive line. Aside from missing a majority of training camp, he also missed a large portion of spring practices while recovering from surgery to repair a core muscle injury.
And Beane added tight end Tyler Kroft has a chance to start the season on the active roster given the progress he's shown recovering from a broken right foot sustained in May. Beane said he will first consult with doctors Friday before determining whether Kroft will be added to the roster or open the season on the physically unable to perform list, which would sideline the player for at least the first six weeks of the season.
''We're optimistic,'' Beane told The Associated Press following the game.
On the field, undrafted rookie Tyree Jackson hit David Sills for an 8-yard touchdown pass with 8 seconds left to cap Buffalo's run of scoring three touchdowns in the final 3:53 to overcome a 23-6 deficit.
The rally began with Jackson scoring a 6-yard run followed by Marcus Murphy scoring on a 79-yard punt return. Jackson's touchdown was initially credited to Victor Bolden, who recovered the quarterback's fumble in the end zone.
''It was awesome,'' said Jackson, who came out of college after his junior season at Buffalo. ''It's something I'll remember for a long time, coming back and winning like that.''
Facing third-and-goal, Jackson stayed patient in the pocket and threaded a pass to Sills cutting across the middle.
Jackson finished 22 of 33 for 175 yards, and had a team-best 78 yards rushing in playing the entire game.
Minnesota's third-string quarterback Kyle Sloter hit Ameer Abdullah for a 15-yard touchdown pass, and De'Angelo Henderson scored on a 3-yard run for the Vikings (3-1).
Receiver Laquon Treadwell caught all three passes directed his way for 30 yards in what could be the 2016 first-round draft pick's final appearance with the Vikings.
While the Vikings rested their starters, Treadwell played the entire first half amid speculation he could be traded or cut by Saturday, when NFL teams are required to set their 53-player rosters. Treadwell has been passed on the depth chart by Chad Beebe, Jordan Taylor and Jeff Badet after three mostly unproductive seasons since the Vikings selected him with the 23rd pick in 2016.
''I'm not really worried about that now,'' Treadwell said, referring to his uncertain future.
As for what he might read into playing the fourth preseason game while numerous teammates rested, Treadwell said it might a combination of reasons.
''More reps. They want to see more out of you and also they can be up in the air with the decision. I really don't know,'' he added. ''Everybody's fighting for a job. Everybody's going out there giving it their best, and let the best man win.''
Coach Mike Zimmer downplayed speculation regarding Treadwell's future.
''I don't think you can read too much into that,'' Zimmer said. ''Looked like he did well. Last couple of games, he had opportunities to make plays and he's done it.''
Treadwell caught Sloter's first attempt for 14 yards and also converted a third down by making a 9-yard catch on a crossing pattern. He finished the preseason with eight catches for 89 yards.
KICKING CONCERNS
The Vikings' kicking competition continued tilting decisively toward Dan Bailey keeping his job and against Kaare Vedvik.
Acquired by Minnesota for a fifth-round pick from Baltimore in a trade earlier this summer, Vedvik has mostly struggled. A week after missing from 43 and 54 yards, Vedvik pushed a 37-yard field goal attempt wide right against Buffalo. He finally connected on a 27-yarder in the final minute of first half.
Vedvik, who is also challenging Matt Wile for the punting duties, punted twice, including a 45-yarder which Murphy returned for a score.
''Was it tough? I'm not sure how to answer that,'' Vedvik said.
Asked to assess Vedvik's chances of making the team, Zimmer said: ''It's good. We're going to evaluate everything these next two days and make our decisions and go with it.''
MAKING THE CUT?
Beane praised receiver Duke Williams' preseason performance on the Bills' telecast, but stopped short of saying the former CFL star has made the team.
''He's earned everything he's got,'' Beane said of Williams, a free agent addition. ''When the ball's in the air, I'll take him over about anybody, he's going to find a way to come down with it.''
Beane would only say Williams is ''definitely in the mix'' for one of the team's final few receiver spots.
UP NEXT
Vikings: open season hosting Atlanta on Sept. 8.
Bills: open season at New York Jets on Sept. 8.
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D. Henderson Sr.
RB 59 RuYds, RuTD, 8 ReYds, REC |
11
FPTS
|
|
T. Jackson
84 TE 175 PaYds, PaTD, 78 RuYds, RuTD |
24
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | 36:02 | 23:58 |
1st Downs | 25 | 15 |
Rushing | 10 | 6 |
Passing | 13 | 8 |
Penalty | 2 | 1 |
3rd Down Conv | 7-16 | 5-14 |
4th Down Conv | 1-1 | 2-2 |
Total Net Yards | 336 | 282 |
Total Plays | 74 | 55 |
Avg Gain | 4.5 | 5.1 |
Net Yards Rushing | 136 | 120 |
Rush Attempts | 39 | 21 |
Avg Rush Yards | 3.5 | 5.7 |
Net Yards Passing | 200 | 162 |
Comp. - Att. | 24-34 | 22-33 |
Yards Per Pass | 5.9 | 4.9 |
Penalties - Yards | 4-31 | 7-41 |
Touchdowns | 2 | 3 |
Rushing TDs | 1 | 1 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 1 |
Other | 0 | 1 |
Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 1-1 |
Int. Thrown | 2 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 3-13.3 | 4-34.8 |
Return Yards | 0 | 79 |
Punts - Returns | 1-0 | 1-79 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 2-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 2-5 -40% | 2-2 -100% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 1-1 -100% | 2-2 -100% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
K. Sloter
1 QB
10 FPTS
|
K. Sloter | 16/24 | 163 | 1 | 1 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Browning
3 QB
0 FPTS
|
J. Browning | 8/10 | 46 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. Henderson Sr.
35 RB
11 FPTS
|
D. Henderson Sr. | 16 | 59 | 1 | 17 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Abdullah
31 RB
9 FPTS
|
A. Abdullah | 5 | 21 | 0 | 9 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Boone
23 RB
1 FPTS
|
M. Boone | 6 | 19 | 0 | 17 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Blasingame
48 RB
1 FPTS
|
K. Blasingame | 7 | 19 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Davis
16 WR
2 FPTS
|
D. Davis | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Sloter
1 QB
10 FPTS
|
K. Sloter | 2 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Hollins
85 WR
1 FPTS
|
A. Hollins | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Browning
3 QB
0 FPTS
|
J. Browning | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
B. Dillon
86 TE
4 FPTS
|
B. Dillon | 5 | 5 | 48 | 0 | 19 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Hikutini
87 TE
4 FPTS
|
C. Hikutini | 8 | 4 | 45 | 0 | 14 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Treadwell
11 WR
3 FPTS
|
L. Treadwell | 3 | 3 | 30 | 0 | 14 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Zylstra
15 WR
2 FPTS
|
B. Zylstra | 2 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 14 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Hollins
85 WR
1 FPTS
|
A. Hollins | 3 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Abdullah
31 RB
9 FPTS
|
A. Abdullah | 1 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Davis
16 WR
2 FPTS
|
D. Davis | 3 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 8 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Henderson Sr.
35 RB
11 FPTS
|
D. Henderson Sr. | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Boone
23 RB
1 FPTS
|
M. Boone | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Blasingame
48 RB
1 FPTS
|
K. Blasingame | 3 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Mitchell
17 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Mitchell | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. Thomas
34 DB
|
D. Thomas | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. James
36 DB
|
C. James | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Meadors
44 DB
|
N. Meadors | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Cliett
43 OLB
|
R. Cliett | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Epps
39 SAF
|
M. Epps | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Martini
45 LB
|
G. Martini | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Schult
79 DE
|
K. Schult | 2-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Brothers
40 LB
|
K. Brothers | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Saint-Amour
62 DE
|
A. Saint-Amour | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. Mata'afa
51 DE
|
H. Mata'afa | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Downs
57 LB
|
D. Downs | 2-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Smith
37 DB
|
D. Smith | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. Hill
24 DB
|
H. Hill | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Odenigbo
95 DE
|
I. Odenigbo | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Wharton
35 DB
|
I. Wharton | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Boyd
38 DB
|
K. Boyd | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Smith
59 ILB
|
C. Smith | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Mitchell 17 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Mitchell | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
T. Jackson
6 QB
24 FPTS
|
T. Jackson | 22/33 | 175 | 1 | 0 | 24 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. Jackson
6 QB
24 FPTS
|
T. Jackson | 8 | 78 | 1 | 20 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Murphy
22 RB
3 FPTS
|
M. Murphy | 9 | 28 | 0 | 9 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Wade
45 RB
1 FPTS
|
C. Wade | 5 | 15 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
R. McCloud
14 WR
4 FPTS
|
R. McCloud | 5 | 5 | 48 | 0 | 29 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Easley
86 WR
4 FPTS
|
N. Easley | 6 | 4 | 41 | 0 | 30 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Croom
80 TE
2 FPTS
|
J. Croom | 3 | 2 | 27 | 0 | 16 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Williams
82 WR
|