Week 9 ends with the best matchup of the week. The Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings, both 6-1 and both leading their divisions, meet Monday night at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, and the result will shake up both conferences.
If you’re wondering how to watch Bills vs Vikings, it’s on ESPN and ABC at 8:15 p.m. ET. Here’s everything else you need: the streaming options, the broadcast crew, the final injury report and what each team is playing for.
How to watch Bills vs Vikings
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, Nov. 9, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 8:15 p.m. ET / 7:15 p.m. CT / 5:15 p.m. PT |
| Stadium | U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis |
| TV | ESPN and ABC |
| Alternate broadcast | ESPN2 (Monday Night Football Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show) |
| Spanish | ESPN Deportes |
| Streaming | ESPN app (ESPN Unlimited or TV provider login), Fubo, Sling, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV |
| Mobile | NFL+ |
| National radio | Westwood One |
Because the game is simulcast on ABC, fans with an antenna can watch for free over the air. Viewers who don’t have cable can stream ESPN through the ESPN app with an ESPN Unlimited plan, or through a live TV service that carries ESPN, such as Fubo, Sling, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV or DirecTV.
In India, kickoff is at 6:45 a.m. IST on Tuesday.
The broadcast team
Joe Buck will call the game with Troy Aikman as the analyst, and Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge will report from the sidelines, according to the Bills’ official website.
For a different feel, ESPN2 will carry the Field Pass alternate broadcast with The Pat McAfee Show, a looser, more conversational take on the game.
On the radio, Kevin Harlan and Kurt Warner have the call nationally on Westwood One. In Minnesota, Paul Allen calls the game for the Vikings Audio Network on KFAN 100.3 FM and KTLK 1130 AM.
Final injury report
Both teams have key players missing or questionable. Here’s the official report from NFL.com.
Buffalo Bills
- Out: WR Josh Palmer (hamstring)
- Questionable: OT Dion Dawkins (rib), OL Alec Anderson (ankle), DL Greg Gaines (calf), DB Jordan Hancock (hamstring), WR Tyrell Shavers (knee)
Minnesota Vikings
- Out: QB Kyler Murray (hamstring), RB Demond Claiborne (knee), WR Jauan Jennings (calf)
- Questionable: S Theo Jackson (quad), S Jay Ward (knee)
The two names that matter most for Buffalo are Dawkins and Anderson. Both play on the left side of the offensive line, and Minnesota’s defense under coordinator Brian Flores is built on the blitz, with a pass rush that has been getting home more often than any other in the league. If either can’t go, Josh Allen will be working behind a patched-together line against the defense that leads the NFL in points allowed per game.
For Minnesota, the big change is at quarterback. Carson Wentz starts in place of Murray, who started six games this season before his hamstring injury. The Vikings will also be without Claiborne in the backfield and Jennings at receiver.
Inactive lists come out 90 minutes before kickoff, around 6:45 p.m. ET.
What’s at stake for Buffalo
The Bills are the AFC’s No. 1 seed, but their lead is thin. Denver is 7-2 after beating Carolina on Sunday, and Yahoo Sports noted that a Bills loss would hand the top seed to the Broncos. A win would push Buffalo to 7-1 and keep it on top.
There’s also history on the line for Allen. He became the Bills’ all-time leader in touchdown passes, counting the regular season and playoffs, in last week’s 36-10 win over Baltimore, passing Jim Kelly. Every touchdown from here adds to that record.
See where every AFC team stands in our AFC playoff picture.
What’s at stake for Minnesota
The Vikings lead the NFC North at 6-1, but they have almost no margin. Chicago improved to 7-2 on Sunday night, and if Buffalo wins, the Bears move into first place in the division.
The NFC North is the most competitive division in football right now, with all four teams in playoff position. Minnesota visits Green Bay next Sunday, so a loss on Monday would raise the pressure fast. Our NFC playoff picture has the full race.
Strength vs. strength
This game comes down to one question: can the NFL’s most explosive offense handle its stingiest defense?
Buffalo is scoring 33.3 points per game, the most in the league. Minnesota is allowing just 13.3 points per game, the fewest in the league, according to Sports Illustrated. Something has to give.
Buffalo was listed as a 3.5-point road favorite earlier in the week, with the total at 45.5 points. For the full matchup breakdown, read our Bills vs Vikings preview.
Three things to watch
Allen against the blitz. Minnesota will send extra rushers. If Allen can get the ball out quickly and make the Vikings pay with his legs, Buffalo’s offense should find its usual rhythm.
Wentz against a beatable pass defense. Buffalo’s defense ranks 26th in both EPA per dropback and dropback success rate, according to Roto Street Journal. That gives Wentz real opportunities if his line can keep him upright.
The first quarter. In a game expected to be close, an early lead could force the trailing team away from its game plan. For Minnesota, that means fewer chances to let Flores’ defense dictate the game.
A special night in Minneapolis
Before the game, the Vikings will formally induct Adrian Peterson, the 2012 NFL MVP, into their Ring of Honor. The ceremony will be livestreamed on Vikings.com and the Vikings app.
It’s also only the 16th official meeting between these franchises, according to the Vikings. The last one was a classic: Minnesota won 33-30 in overtime at Buffalo in 2022.
What’s next after Bills vs Vikings
Buffalo has a short week before visiting the New York Jets on Sunday. Minnesota heads to Lambeau Field to face the Packers.
FieldPylon will have a full recap after the final whistle. If you’re reading in India, look for it on Tuesday morning.
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