In a turnaround from last week’s game, the Vikings started quickly, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive. QB Christian Ponder and the first team looked sharp as they scored on two of their first three drives against a usually stout Buffalo defense.
Other highlights from the Vikings' 36-14 preseason victory over the Bills on Friday night at Mall of America Field in Minnesota included K Blair Walsh making four of five field-goal attempts and rookie LB Audie Cole possibly locking up his roster spot with two interceptions for touchdowns in the final minutes of the game.
The Vikings' defense that was so porous a week ago against the 49ers (allowing 260 yards rushing, 198 in the first half) rebounded to hold the Bills to 68 rushing yards. Defensive coordinator Alan Williams said the problems would be fixed this week in Mankato, and the defense backed it up.
“There was an emphasis on doing your job -- whatever your technique on that play is or your gap responsibility," DE Jared Allen said. "To do your job and finish it to the best of your ability. And that showed up tonight. They didn’t get any traction in the run game.”
Coach Leslie Frazier was especially pleased with the turnaround, saying all the work they've put into training camp resulted in the team moving in the right direction.
“You’ve seen some of that great effort pay off tonight,” Frazier said. “We really believe that we are starting to come together. Certain guys are starting to emerge for us in leadership roles and really helping us get things in a direction that we want to go.”
Everybody loved Raymond: Whether S Mistral Raymond was feeling the pressure from S Harrison Smith or he wanted to improve his subpar performance of last week, he had an improved effort. Raymond’s reads were solid in pass defense or pressing in run defense, and he finished with three solo tackles (one for loss) and what looked like a broken-up pass when diving in front of a defender. Asked if he tipped the ball, Raymond said with a smile, “As a DB, I am going to say I did.”
Ponder’s precise performance: Ponder played even better than last week. He went 10 of 13 for 136 yards and a TD and a 135.4 rating. He put the Vikings in scoring position in all three of his drives and came away with 10 points.
“My job is really easy when players like Jerome Simpson make a 4-yard catch and turn it into a 50-yard gain,” Ponder said. “The offense is clicking and doing very well right now.”
Cole’s daily double: Rookie LB Cole followed a performance last week in which he had a sack against the 49ers with some impressive play in the closing minutes. With 3:18 remaining in the game, Cole intercepted Bills QB Tyler Thigpen, returning it 20 yards for a touchdown. Sixteen seconds later, on the Bills' next offensive play, Cole leapt high and grabbed a Shawn Powell pass and returned it for a second TD.
Cole is obviously hoping his effort Friday night raises his chances to make the team. “Oh yeah, it’s what you sit the night before and think about -- doing stuff like that,” he said. “I hope that (tonight’s performance) helps my cause.”
Receiver battle rages on: On a night when the Vikings' offense threw often (36 times) and deep, the backup WRs had ample opportunities to make an impression in hopes of making the roster. WR Michael Jenkins made a nice leaping sideline grab for 34 yards the one time he was thrown to, and Emmanuel Arceneaux caught both of his targets, including a 48-yarder from Sage Rosenfels. WR Devin Aromashodu didn't have a catch despite being targeted six times. To his credit, he made two nice plays on passes that took him out of bounds, and other passes were thrown behind him.
Walsh shines again: K Blair Walsh bailed out an offense that drove into scoring range six times but had one TD. Walsh hit four of five field goals and the miss looked like it was the result of a bad snap. He hit from 22, 47, 45 and 30 yards, which makes him six of seven on the preseason.
Injury update: TE Kyle Rudolph and CB Chris Cook left the game in the first half after hard hits to the head. Rudolph caught a pass over the middle and was sandwiched between two defenders, and Cook made a big hit that caused a fumble. Coach Frazier said they were pulled after exhibiting concussion-like symptoms. They must go through the league-mandated concussion protocol this week before being able to return to action.
For more Vikings news, follow Joe Oberle on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLMIN or @joeoberle.