Minnesota Vikings (2-4) at Buffalo Bills (3-3)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y. – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Tim Brando, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Peter Schrager

*Keys to the game: The Vikings are fragile on the heels of a stomping at the hands of the Detroit Lions, and the bad news for Minnesota and rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater is the Bills have the same strength. Sacked eight times last week, Bridgewater will not be shell-shocked, coach Mike Zimmer said. He can get rid of the ball quicker, but the greatest aid would be re-establishing a big-play threat missing without RB Adrian Peterson and with WR Cordarrelle Patterson hushed for several weeks.

Steady is the pace of the Bills’ offense with Kyle Orton at the helm. He’s rarely challenging downfield, preferring checkdown options such as TE Scott Chandler (10 catches in Orton’s two starts) and RB Fred Jackson (11 in Orton’s starts). He has been sacked seven times playing largely in comeback mode. The Bills have only one first-quarter touchdown (and 13 points) in six games. Getting an early lead and letting a powerful offensive line lean on the Vikings’ 20th-ranked rush defense is Buffalo’s easiest path to a fourth win.

*Matchup to watch – Vikings WR Greg Jennings vs. Bills CB Stephon Gilmore: Jennings is the team’s most reliable route-runner and Bridgewater knows he’ll be in the right place on time. Buffalo has been flagged 53 times, including 33 coverage penalties, which is blood in the water for an offense with nothing to lose by going on the attack.

*Player spotlight – Vikings LT Matt Kalil: The former first-round pick who missed most of the offseason program was out of sorts last week with four sacks and three QB pressures allowed against Detroit. He draws Jerry Hughes primarily, but Buffalo will mix and match to test Kalil’s confidence.

*Fast facts: The Bills enter with a streak of six games without allowing an opposing player to top 90 rushing yards. … Bills WR Sammy Watkins’ 26 catches in his first six games is a franchise best for rookies since 1980 (Joe Cribbs).

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The blueprint for battering Bridgewater is easily mimicked by the Bills’ front four, but Vikings coordinator Norv Turner will move the pocket and find ways to score points in a game that could be decided by two capable kickers.

*Our pick: Bills 23-21