The Minnesota Vikings lost 23-6 to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. The blame falls on Carson Wentz. The journeyman backup wasted every chance Minnesota had to take a lead before the crowd turned on him. Per Fox Sports, this performance ranks as one of the worst from a quarterback in recent history. The Vikings’ elite defense kept the score close, but they could not save the team from a self-inflicted wound.
A Night Of Total Failure
Wentz finished the night with a dismal 8-for-25 passing line for just 81 yards. He threw two interceptions and lost a fumble that was ruled a lateral after review. The Bills’ defense intercepted him twice and sacked him once while holding him to a passer rating of 8.9, according to ESPN. Fans in the stadium booed nearly every throw he made as his accuracy fell apart in the fourth quarter. Coach Kevin O’Connell finally pulled him for third-stringer Max Brosmer when the Vikings trailed by three scores late in the game. The move drew near-universal approval from the restless home crowd.
Josh Allen did not have his usual big numbers, yet he still found a way to win. He threw for 234 yards and one touchdown while adding an interception. The Bills entered the game with the league’s 30th-ranked passing defense, yet they dominated the overmatched Vikings. Allen engineered drives with quick screens and scrambles to keep the offense moving. He targeted 10 different receivers to spread the load when the pocket broke down. Against the Vikings, the Bills were held to their fewest points all season and to yardage per play far under their norm.
Time To Fix The Roster
Minnesota’s Super Bowl-caliber defense demonstrated its quality once more by stopping the NFL’s highest-scoring offense. The problem is that the defense keeps getting let down by a failing offense. According to Fox Sports, a quarterback trade must be considered by the front office on Tuesday to salvage the season. Veteran options such as Kirk Cousins and Geno Smith might be available on the market. Keeping the current setup is an insult to defensive coordinator Brian Flores and his unit. The Vikings (6-2) have now dropped their second straight game.
Unless a trade occurs at the deadline, quarterback Kyler Murray’s job remains safe, though this offers no immediate help to Minnesota. Following this grind of a win, the Bills (7-1) keep the best record in the AFC.
