Dalvin Cook's Minnesota Vikings are pegged as huge favourites for Week 3's date with the Buffalo Bills. Oddsmakers currently list the Vikes as 17-point favourites.
The Buffalo Bills don’t have many positives to turn to following back-to-back blowout losses to open the season. Considering whom their next opponent is, there is a good chance that things will get worse. The Bills will travel to face the Minnesota Vikings, who are a 17-point favorite for the game. It is the largest point spread through the first three weeks of the NFL season. Can the Bills at least cover?
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
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Opening 17 Sep 5:09pm | BUF | -16.5 -110 | O +40.5 -110 |
Closing 23 Sep 2:26am | BUF | -17 -110 | O +41 -115 |
The Bills are 9-16 in their last 25 road games dating back to the 2015 season. Buffalo has failed to cover in each of its first two games, losing by a combined 55 points to the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers. The total has gone over in four of the Bills’ last six games overall, which isn’t a good thing for a team that wants to stress defence and running the football rather than getting involved in shootouts.
Meanwhile, the Vikings will be looking for their sixth straight home win dating back to last season. Minnesota is 13-2-1 straight up in its last 16 games regardless of venue. The Vikings are perfect against the spread so far this season, covering the 6.5-point spread in a 24-16 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 and then covering the 2.5-point spread in last week’s 29-29 tie with the Packers.
Buffalo Bills
All of the optimism that last year’s playoff appearance has faded away. Bills fans are having a tough time believing what they’re seeing. Rookie quarterback Josh Allen didn’t look great in last week’s loss to the Chargers but he was better than Nathan Peterman. He completed just 18-of-33 pass attempts with a pair of interceptions. Comparing him to Peterman can only last for so long; the Bills have to find ways to compete and Allen didn’t give them a chance.
It certainly won’t help that the Bills lost running back LeSean McCoy to a rib injury. If he’s out, the Bills are going to have little luck against a tough Minnesota run defence. And that will likely trickle down to the other side of the ball where a failing defence is on the field for far too long.
Minnesota Vikings
Despite staying undefeated last week, the Vikings could very well be 2-0 if it wasn’t for kicker Daniel Carlson missing three field goals including two potential game-winning kicks in overtime of last week’s tie. Minnesota addressed its kicker situation on Monday, waiving Carlson after getting a commitment from free agent kicker Dan Bailey. Bailey should provide the Vikings with the type of veteran kicker they will need if they are going to contend for a Super Bowl this season.
Meanwhile, Minnesota has to be happy with its quarterback play through two weeks. Kirk Cousins has completed 65.5-percent of his pass attempts while throwing for 669 yards and six touchdowns in his first two starts for the Vikings. He brought them back on the road in Green Bay multiple times last week in a gutsy effort.
With Cousins performing at a high level while running backs Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray taking care of business on the ground, Minnesota could have one of the NFC’s most dangerous offences this season.
17 points is a high number for any team to cover in a non-conference game. However, it’s hard to see the Bills doing much scoring in this one.
Weather

condition | dome |
Injuries
Deonte Thompson (WR)
Patrick DiMarco (FB)
Corey Thompson (LB)
Stephen Hauschka (K)
Ryan Lewis (CB)
Isaiah McKenzie (WR)
Jason Croom (TE)
Lafayette Pitts (CB)
Russell Bodine (C)
Shaq Lawson (DE)
Holton Hill (CB)
C.J. Ham (FB)
Sheldon Richardson (DT)
Eric Kendricks (LB)
Brandon Zylstra (WR)
Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Brian O'Neill (T)
Chad Beebe (WR)
Ben Gedeon (LB)
Stephen Weatherly (DE)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
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Deonte Thompson (WR) | Out Sun | Toe - 28 / 12 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Thompson will not take the field against the Dolphins on Sunday due to a toe injury. |
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Patrick DiMarco (FB) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 19 / 12 / 18 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
DiMarco is battling an ankle injury but is expected to be available Sunday against the Patriots. |
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Corey Thompson (LB) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 19 / 12 / 18 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Thompson is hampered by an ankle injury but it is not expected to affect his status for Sunday's tilt against the Patriots. |
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Stephen Hauschka (K) | Prob Sun | Back - 10 / 12 / 18 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Hauschka missed the last game with a lower-back injury but it is anticipated that he will participate in Sunday's contest against the Patriots. |
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Ryan Lewis (CB) | Out Sun | Concussion - 10 / 12 / 18 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Lewis has missed the last two games battling a concussion and will not be able to pass the league-mandated protocol in time for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. |
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Isaiah McKenzie (WR) | Ques Sun | Toe - 06 / 12 / 18 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
McKenzie is hampered by a toe injury and it is unclear if he will take the field Sunday versus the Jets. |
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Jason Croom (TE) | Prob Sun | Groin - 05 / 12 / 18 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
Croom missed the last game with a groin injury but is likely to play against the Lions on Sunday. |
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Lafayette Pitts (CB) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 25 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
Pitts left the last game due to a concussion and his status for Sunday's contest against the Dolphins is up in the air. |
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Russell Bodine (C) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
Bodine is battling a shoulder injury and it is undetermined if he will play Sunday against the Jaguars. |
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Shaq Lawson (DE) | Ques Sun | Elbow - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
Lawson has an elbow injury and it is unknown if he will play Sunday against the Jaguars. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Holton Hill (CB) | day-to-day | Head - 30 / 12 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Hill departed Sunday's game due to a head injury and it is unknown if he will return. |
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C.J. Ham (FB) | Out Sun | Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Ham was lifted from the last game with an elbow injury and will not participate in Sunday's matchup with the Bears. |
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Sheldon Richardson (DT) | Ques Sun | Hip - 10 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
Richardson was lifted from the previous game due to a hip injury and his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins is up in the air. |
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Eric Kendricks (LB) | Prob Mon | Ribs - 06 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
Kendricks has injured ribs but it is likely he will play Monday against the Seahawks. |
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Brandon Zylstra (WR) | Ques Sun | Undisclosed - 30 / 11 / 18 | 3-2 | 1-4 | + - |
Zylstra has an undefined injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Patriots on Sunday. |
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Mackensie Alexander (CB) | Ques Sun | Knee - 29 / 11 / 18 | 3-2 | 1-4 | + - |
Alexander hurt his knee and it is uncertain if he will appear in Sunday's game against the Patriots. |
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Brian O'Neill (T) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 26 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
O'Neill was lifted from the last game due to a concussion and it is unknown if he will pass the league-mandated protocol in time for Sunday's contest against the Patriots. |
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Chad Beebe (WR) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
Beebe missed his fourth-straight game due to a hamstring injury and it is unknown if he will return to the lineup Sunday against the Lions. |
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Ben Gedeon (LB) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
Gedeon was absent from the lineup during the previous game due to a concussion and it is undetermined if he will be cleared in time for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots. |
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Stephen Weatherly (DE) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
Weatherly is dealing with a shoulder injury but is likely to play Sunday against the Packers. |
Bills vs. Vikings Prediction
-
BUFFALO BILLS
10 -
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
34
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 17 Sep 5:09pm BUF -16.5 -110 O +40.5 -110 Closing 23 Sep 2:26am BUF -17 -110 O +41 -115 -
Weather
condition dome -
Injuries
Deonte Thompson (WR)
Out Sun Toe - 28 / 12 / 18Patrick DiMarco (FB)
Prob Sun Ankle - 19 / 12 / 18Corey Thompson (LB)
Prob Sun Ankle - 19 / 12 / 18Stephen Hauschka (K)
Prob Sun Back - 10 / 12 / 18Ryan Lewis (CB)
Out Sun Concussion - 10 / 12 / 18Isaiah McKenzie (WR)
Ques Sun Toe - 06 / 12 / 18Jason Croom (TE)
Prob Sun Groin - 05 / 12 / 18Lafayette Pitts (CB)
Ques Sun Concussion - 25 / 11 / 18Russell Bodine (C)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18Shaq Lawson (DE)
Ques Sun Elbow - 21 / 11 / 18Holton Hill (CB)
day-to-day Head - 30 / 12 / 18C.J. Ham (FB)
Out Sun Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18Sheldon Richardson (DT)
Ques Sun Hip - 10 / 12 / 18Eric Kendricks (LB)
Prob Mon Ribs - 06 / 12 / 18Brandon Zylstra (WR)
Ques Sun Undisclosed - 30 / 11 / 18Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 11 / 18Brian O'Neill (T)
Ques Sun Concussion - 26 / 11 / 18Chad Beebe (WR)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 21 / 11 / 18Ben Gedeon (LB)
Ques Sun Concussion - 21 / 11 / 18Stephen Weatherly (DE)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Deonte Thompson (WR) Out Sun Toe - 28 / 12 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Thompson will not take the field against the Dolphins on Sunday due to a toe injury.
Patrick DiMarco (FB) Prob Sun Ankle - 19 / 12 / 18 1-1 0-2 + - DiMarco is battling an ankle injury but is expected to be available Sunday against the Patriots.
Corey Thompson (LB) Prob Sun Ankle - 19 / 12 / 18 1-1 0-2 + - Thompson is hampered by an ankle injury but it is not expected to affect his status for Sunday's tilt against the Patriots.
Stephen Hauschka (K) Prob Sun Back - 10 / 12 / 18 1-2 1-2 + - Hauschka missed the last game with a lower-back injury but it is anticipated that he will participate in Sunday's contest against the Patriots.
Ryan Lewis (CB) Out Sun Concussion - 10 / 12 / 18 1-2 1-2 + - Lewis has missed the last two games battling a concussion and will not be able to pass the league-mandated protocol in time for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.
Isaiah McKenzie (WR) Ques Sun Toe - 06 / 12 / 18 1-3 1-3 + - McKenzie is hampered by a toe injury and it is unclear if he will take the field Sunday versus the Jets.
Jason Croom (TE) Prob Sun Groin - 05 / 12 / 18 1-3 1-3 + - Croom missed the last game with a groin injury but is likely to play against the Lions on Sunday.
Lafayette Pitts (CB) Ques Sun Concussion - 25 / 11 / 18 3-3 3-3 + - Pitts left the last game due to a concussion and his status for Sunday's contest against the Dolphins is up in the air.
Russell Bodine (C) Ques Sun Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 3-3 + - Bodine is battling a shoulder injury and it is undetermined if he will play Sunday against the Jaguars.
Shaq Lawson (DE) Ques Sun Elbow - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 3-3 + - Lawson has an elbow injury and it is unknown if he will play Sunday against the Jaguars.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Holton Hill (CB) day-to-day Head - 30 / 12 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Hill departed Sunday's game due to a head injury and it is unknown if he will return.
C.J. Ham (FB) Out Sun Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18 2-0 1-1 + - Ham was lifted from the last game with an elbow injury and will not participate in Sunday's matchup with the Bears.
Sheldon Richardson (DT) Ques Sun Hip - 10 / 12 / 18 2-2 1-3 + - Richardson was lifted from the previous game due to a hip injury and his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins is up in the air.
Eric Kendricks (LB) Prob Mon Ribs - 06 / 12 / 18 2-2 1-3 + - Kendricks has injured ribs but it is likely he will play Monday against the Seahawks.
Brandon Zylstra (WR) Ques Sun Undisclosed - 30 / 11 / 18 3-2 1-4 + - Zylstra has an undefined injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Patriots on Sunday.
Mackensie Alexander (CB) Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 11 / 18 3-2 1-4 + - Alexander hurt his knee and it is uncertain if he will appear in Sunday's game against the Patriots.
Brian O'Neill (T) Ques Sun Concussion - 26 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - O'Neill was lifted from the last game due to a concussion and it is unknown if he will pass the league-mandated protocol in time for Sunday's contest against the Patriots.
Chad Beebe (WR) Ques Sun Hamstring - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Beebe missed his fourth-straight game due to a hamstring injury and it is unknown if he will return to the lineup Sunday against the Lions.
Ben Gedeon (LB) Ques Sun Concussion - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Gedeon was absent from the lineup during the previous game due to a concussion and it is undetermined if he will be cleared in time for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.
Stephen Weatherly (DE) Prob Sun Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Weatherly is dealing with a shoulder injury but is likely to play Sunday against the Packers.