The Minnesota Vikings have played 1,064 games in the history of their franchise, which started in 1961. Before yesterday, they had never played a game in which they possessed the ball for less than 17 and a half minutes. Now they have.

The Vikings’ time of possession of 17:28 in Monday night’s 23-6 loss to the Bills was their lowest in franchise history.

The previous franchise low was 17:38, set in the NFC Championship Game after the 2000 season, when the Vikings lost to the Giants 41-0.

On Monday night, the Vikings’ offense could not stay on the field. The first quarter set the tone: They had three possessions, which were two three-and-outs and one possession on which they lost a fumble on the first play. Their longest possession of the night lasted 3:11, and on that possession they ran five plays, totaled just 10 yards, and punted.

The Vikings’ defense played well, but not so well that the Bills weren’t able to sustain some long drives, including three drives that took more than six minutes off the clock. The Bills gained 22 first downs; the Vikings gained just nine.

The Bills’ 42:32 time of possession was their second-best in franchise history, trailing only a 1989 game in which they possessed the ball for 42:53 and beat the Jets 34-3.