Serving Bills Fans Since 1998 Home BILLS DAILY GAMEDAY PREVIEW GAMEDAY HOMEPAGE Week 2: Bills vs. Vikings Preview The Bills and Vikings head into their week 2 matchup coming off of difficult opening day losses. The Bills dominated the Jets only to lose thanks to two kickoff returns for scores. The Vikings held a 10 point lead against Chicago in the fourth quarter and gave up two late touchdowns to lose. Both teams want to put the sting of those bad losses behind them this week. Facts and Figures Matchup: Buffalo (0-1) at Minnesota (0-1) Date: Sunday September 15, 2002 Place: Metrodome Time: 4:15pm Television: CBS Announcers: Brent Jones and Gus Johnson Spread: Vikes by 5 Series: Vikings Lead 7-2 Last Meeting: Vikings 31-27 in Minnesota (2000) Vikes Offense: Rush (10th); Pass (13th); overall (t-10th) Vikes Defense: Rush (t-15th); Pass (28th); overall (t-21st) Bills Offense: Rush (9th); Pass (12th); overall (8th) Bills Defense: Rush (11th); Pass (11th); overall (8th) Injury Update The Bills continue to be a healthy team. They only had one player on the injury report for the Jets game and that was Sammy Morris. He was listed as probable and played. The team suffered no injuries against the Jets and is very healthy for this matchup. The Vikings had one significant injury in their opener. Tight End Byron Chamberlain sprained his PCL in his left knee and is out this week against the Bills. For complete injury news throughout the week and the Official NFL Injury Report go to our Injury Page. Key Matchups WR Peerless Price vs. CB Corey Chavous: Chavous was one of the men burned badly by Marty Booker last week as he racked up 198 yards receiving. If he gets locked up one on one with Price, the receiver could have a big day. CB Nate Clements vs. WR Randy Moss: Clements said he wanted Moss in the preseason game and got lit up a couple of times. After being burned badly for a score against the Jets don't look for Clements to do much talking. He will need to contain the Vikings best weapon for the Bills to have a chance to win. Bills Defensive Line vs. QB Duante Culpepper: Culpepper is no Testerverde, he will move around the pocket and run when there is nobody open. The Bills defensive line needs to contain him to the middle of the field so the linebackers can stop him from doing too much damage. RB Travis Henry vs. LB Greg Biekert: Biekert signed with the Vikings just before the opener and he stepped right into the starting lineup. His job will be to shutdown Henry who sparkled on opening day for the Bills. LB London Fletcher vs. RB Michael Bennett: Brian Urlacher effectively took Bennett out of the game last week, Fletcher will have to do the same if the Bills slow Moss down a bit. Game Plan When The Bills Have The Ball: The Bills will once again try to establish the run since it was so effective last week. Look for them however to come out throwing to try and exploit the weak secondary of the Vikings. They will then turn to the running game once the defense is loosened up a bit. When The Vikings Have The Ball: The Vikings will try to use the Bills inexperience up front to their advantage. Look for Culpepper to keep the pocket moving making it more difficult for the Bills to get pressure on him. They will look to Moss often but Culpepper will make things happen with his feet if the Bills give him nothing in the air. Bills Daily Prediction Both teams are desperate for a win after tough heartbreaking losses last week. The Bills gained confidence despite the loss since they dominated a good team on both sides of the ball. The Vikings may have lost confidence after collapsing in the final minutes. Minnesota has not been a friendly place to the Bills in the past but something tells me Sunday will be different. I'm picking the upset in another high scoring affair: Bills 34, Vikings 30 Season Prediction Record: (1-0) Season Record Against The Spread: (1-0) Complete Statistical Matchup Game Analysis and Review Positional Breakdown and Grades Gameday Homepage 2001 Gameday Homepage 2000 Gameday Homepage Back to Bills Daily homepage Articles Index