After Justin Jefferson’s one-handed, game-saving grab, Bills DB has one regret

Orchard Park, N.Y. — Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson had a front row seat for the early favorite for catch of the year on Sunday afternoon inside Highmark Stadium.

With the game on the line late in the fourth quarter, Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson leaped into the air, leaned back like Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014, and somehow managed to one-hand the ball. He boxed out Buffalo Bills safety Cam Lewis and gave the Vikings life.

“Luckily, the defender was right behind (Jefferson) because it kind of helped him stop his hand, because he was going back even further,” Peterson said. “And Justin did a great job of maintaining the possession of the ball. And what a great fourth-down play, man. Big-time players making big-time plays in this game throughout the entire game.

All Lewis had to do was knock down the ball.

The third-year player was making his first career at safety after making the transition during training camp from the cornerback position. He was sick about his mistake after the game.

“I honestly thought it was over his head, but just got to be more aware of the situation,” he said. “F—– 4th and 22 – knock the ball down, bro.

“I’m not a selfish player, I don’t try to be a selfish player. I’m always trying to put the team before me. Just gotta knock the f—–’ ball down, that’s plain and simple. I gotta know the situation. I knock the ball down we f——’ win.”

The heartbreak for the Bills and their fans was just beginning. Buffalo’s defense came up with a stop on the Vikings’ next fourth-down play all the way down at its goal line. Bills quarterback Josh Allen got the ball back with under a minute to go and fumbled the snap on first down. Minnesota recovered in the end zone to give the Vikings the lead.

Allen drove the Bills down for a field goal, but answered Minnesota’s overtime field goal with an interception to end the game.

Bills coach Sean McDermott said he believes in his team and Lewis, who “made some good plays out there as well” in his first career start. The Bills dropped to 6-3 on the season and relinquished the AFC East lead after the Miami Dolphins defeated the Cleveland Browns.

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