NFL Monday Night Football preview: Vikings defense gets a tough test vs. Josh Allen and Bills

Josh Allen has been the best quarterback in the NFL this season, at least by some key metrics. But he hasn't faced a defense like the Minnesota Vikings.

And the Vikings have been the best defense in the NFL. Yet, they haven't faced a quarterback like Allen.

The Vikings host the Buffalo Bills on Monday night in a fun matchup of 6-1 teams. Allen's ability to beat the Vikings' many blitzes will be the key to this game. Nobody else has done it. The Chicago Bears are on a roll offensively, but the Bears scored just three points at home against the Vikings' aggressive defense in Week 2. Minnesota has allowed the lowest EPA ( expected points added ) per play among all NFL defenses this season. Allen has the highest EPA per play among all quarterbacks.

While the headlining matchup will be Allen against the Vikings' defense led by coordinator Brian Flores, there will be intrigue when the Vikings have the ball too. The Vikings' offense, led by Carson Wentz as regular starting quarterback Kyler Murray sits out with a sore hamstring, will have to find a way to move the ball. Minnesota is 6-1 despite being 27th in points per game and 29th in yards per game. Murray has been a big disappointment, and perhaps the Vikings didn't want to rush him back from the hamstring injury to see if Wentz can give the offense a spark. It's possible against a suspect Bills defense that has allowed the third-most passing yards per game this season.

But everyone will be tuning in to see what Allen, the former MVP, does against Minnesota. With a big game, Allen will remain at the front of the pack to win another MVP award. And Buffalo will look like an even stronger Super Bowl contender.

The 2026 NFC North looks like a division that could send all four teams to the playoffs. It's deep from top to bottom. Even though the Vikings are 6-1, they can't feel safe with the Bears, Packers and Lions all playing well. The Bills also will be pushed in the AFC East by the Patriots, but New England lost on Sunday and is three games behind Buffalo in the loss column. Both 6-1 teams are in good shape even with a loss, and will look even stronger with a win. Because of the Vikings' competition within their division — and to a lesser extent, their quest to get the respect of being a legitimate Super Bowl contender — Minnesota needs it a little more.

The Vikings lost their last game at Detroit, with Jefferson having multiple passes thrown far off target to him, and he left the locker room without speaking to the media afterward. That was a clear sign he was upset. This week, Kyler Murray will sit out with a sore hamstring, leading to speculation he is being "soft benched." Even if that's not the case, having Carson Wentz at quarterback could help Jefferson, one of the league's best receivers who has been held back by bad quarterback play each of the last two seasons. The Bills are a good matchup for Jefferson. They've already allowed 1,078 yards and 11 touchdowns to receivers this season, via CBS . Getting Jefferson going again could revitalize a struggling Vikings offense.

The Vikings will be a home underdog for the first time this season when they take on Josh Allen and the 6-1 Bills. Some respected action has dropped the number from Bills -3.5 down to -3, but the betting public is overwhelmingly on Buffalo. Minnesota will give Carson Wentz the start in hopes that he can spark a bottom-five offense. Will he be able to get Justin Jefferson the ball and help run the offense? Minnesota's defense has been incredible so far, but even it has its limits. This should be a fun one. — Ben Fawkes

Check out more of Ben's work at the Yahoo Sports betting hub .

Week 9 will have a fascinating ending, as Buffalo's loaded offense takes on Minnesota's nasty defense. Here are three fantasy themes to track as you watch the game.

1. Will Carson Wentz stabilize the Minnesota passing game? The Vikings scratched Kyler Murray ostensibly with a hamstring injury, but it's also possible this is a soft benching of sorts. Wentz is obviously past his prime at age 34, but he's an experienced player who might be better served to keep the offense on schedule. Justin Jefferson would surely appreciate that.

2. Can DJ Moore keep rolling? When healthy, Moore has been just what the Buffalo passing game needed, with three outstanding games out of five. But the Minnesota defense has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs. Moore and TE Dalton Kincaid (11.5 yards per target) are the best downfield options for QB Josh Allen, but this is the hardest opponent they've faced yet.

3. How will the Vikings handle the backfield? Jordan Mason was the primary back two weeks ago, but neither Mason or Aaron Jones got to 10 touches in the ugly loss to Detroit. Jones still has a better YPC and Mason doesn't have a catch yet this year, but Jones is also five years older. You understand why Jonathan Taylor is occasionally linked to the Vikings. — Scott Pianowski

Check out more of Scott's work at the Yahoo Sports fantasy hub .