No offense; Vikings lose in Buffalo

(AP) Buffalo quarterback J.P. Losman did just enough to hold off another comeback by the Minnesota Vikings. Losman passed for 222 yards and a touchdown and set up another score with a 15-yard scramble Sunday to help Buffalo beat Minnesota 17-12.

The Vikings threatened on their final drive - getting as far as the Bills' 16-yard line - but with no timeouts left, Vikings receiver Billy McMullen failed to get out of bounds and the clock simply ran out on Minnesota.

A week ago, Losman had three turnovers in a loss to the New York Jets, but the second-year starter completed 23 of 32 passes to help the Bills (2-2) snap a four-game home losing streak.

Peerless Price scored on an 8-yard touchdown catch and Willis McGahee scored on a 1-yard plunge - only his second TD in 14 games.

The Vikings (2-2) didn't have enough time produce another come-from-behind victory after winning their first two games this season in the final minute or in overtime.

Brad Johnson's 29-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Robinson with three minutes left cut Bufflao's lead to 17-12. Then, Johnson marched Minnesota 67 yards in the final 1:39, but the drive ended when the clock ran out with the Vikings, who were out of time outs, on the 16.

Minnesota did have its chances, though, the best coming when Johnson found Robinson wide open up the right sideline only to have the ball fall off the receiver's fingers.

Another score, however, might have been too much to ask from a sputtering Vikings offense, which entered the game with just two TDs all season. Robinson's score, in fact, was the first produced by Minnesota's offense in 13-plus quarters.

Johnson finished 25-of-44 for 267 yards and two interceptions. Chester Taylor was limited to 23 yards rushing while Robinson led Vikings receivers with 78 yards.

Outside of generating 122 yards offense on their final two possessions, the Vikings had difficulty moving the ball.

Minnesota had 14 first downs, converted only 2-of-13 third-down attempts and had five three-and-outs. That included four consecutive first-half possessions in which they managed 19 yards and squandered opportune field position with three of those drives starting at Minnesota's 43 or better.

Up 7-6, the Bills took control on their first possession of the second, when Losman led an 11-play, 68-yard drive, capped by Price's heads-up touchdown.

Facing second-and-goal from the 8, Price had to go down to his knees to scoop Losman's low pass. Price got up in time to elude Fred Smoot's tackle, and then followed his blocks up the right sideline for a score.

Rian Lindell hit two field goals, including a 44-yarder. Ryan Longwell, who has now produced 39 of Minnesota's 63 points this season, also hit two field goals.

Bills right guard Chris Villarrial hurt his right leg in the second quarter and did not return. Tests revealed he had a high ankle sprain.

Minnesota safety Darren Sharper hurt his left quadriceps in the second half and did not return.

Security was increased with Sen. Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, attending the game and sitting in team owner Ralph Wilson's suite.

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