Postgame blog:

It was an ugly game in the midst of an already-ugly season.

In his six weeks as an in-season NFL head coach, Mike Zimmer has dealt with everything from a suspended star to an injured starting quarterback to a gunshot free agent to kidney stones.

Sunday, he may have preferred kidney stones to what he witnessed.

His defense, which had played so well, gave up a literally last-second touchdown and the Vikings lost, 17-16, at Buffalo, sending the Vikings to 2-5.

A victory would have left the Vikings 3-4 with a trip to Tampa this weekend and a chance at .500. Instead, Zimmer must feel like he's staring into the abyss.

Zimmer's defense led the way, pressuring Kyle Orton and injuring the Bills' two best backs in a physical performance against a team that has beaten the Bears and Lions this season. Everson Griffen and Anthony Barr, two players expected to benefit from Zimmer's system, made plays all over the field.

Teddy Bridgewater looked overwhelmed early, but then regained his poise and began finding his long-lost wide receivers, even hitting Cordarrelle Patterson with a touchdown pass.

But the offense's inability to produce more than one touchdown cost the Vikings a victory.