The Minnesota Vikings face major quarterback questions ahead of the NFL trade deadline following a 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills on “Monday Night Football.” Veteran backup Carson Wentz struggled heavily in place of injured starter Kyler Murray, completing just 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards and two interceptions.
The defeat drops the Vikings to 6-2 on the season, snapping their early momentum and handing them consecutive losses after a 6-0 start. Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell deferred all trade deadline questions to general manager Nolan Teasley regarding whether the franchise will acquire outside help under center.
Wentz Efficiency and Jefferson Target Volatility Drag Performance
- Passing Efficiency: Carson Wentz posted a 2.3 QBR against Buffalo—the lowest mark by any quarterback this season and the lowest for a Minnesota starter since 2006.
- Playmaker Volatility: Star wideout Justin Jefferson saw double-digit targets, but hauled in just three of them, severely hampering fantasy ceilings across the offensive core.
Minnesota Struggles to Score Touchdowns Against Buffalo
NFL.com noted that Buffalo’s defense pressured Wentz on 42.3% of his dropbacks while blitzing on only 11.5% of plays. The unit managed just 178 total yards, with 52 of those coming on a late drive led by third-stringer Max Brosmer.
The #Vikings now have back-to-back losses after dropping to the Bills 23-6. @tatumeverett and @nacholeber have the full breakdown of tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/VgZUR8JDon
According to ESPN, Minnesota failed to score a touchdown for the third time this season. The team’s 11 total offensive touchdowns tie them with the winless Los Angeles Chargers. The Vikings also became the first team with at least six wins and three zero-touchdown games over their first eight contests since 1925, as reported by ESPN.
Jefferson Calls for a Simpler Playbook After Offensive Struggles
Offensive possession time plummeted to just 17:28 against Buffalo, leaving defensive and special teams units overburdened.
Turnovers and miscues hurt the #Vikings as they lose their 2nd game of the season. 📰: https://t.co/qfx0Me7hHd pic.twitter.com/QehLJmFCjm
| Quarterback | Completions/Attempts | Yards | Interceptions | QBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Wentz | 8 / 25 | 81 | 2 | 2.3 |
| Max Brosmer | 6 / 7 | 58 | 0 | N/A |
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson expressed frustration after the game, suggesting that the coaching staff needs to simplify the playbook. We’ve got to find ways to simplify it, and make it easier for everybody to just go out there execute the plays, not thinking, and just going out there and playing ball,
Jefferson told reporters, as documented by ESPN.
Defensive Brilliance Overshadowed
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores sent frequent blitzes that pressured Josh Allen four times, while kicker Will Reichard remained perfect and punter Brett Thorson downed a punt at the one-yard line.
Additional Context from the Matchup
Carson Wentz recorded a 2.3 QBR in the contest, which matched the lowest mark in a Monday Night Football game since Sam Darnold registered a 1.1 QBR in 2019 while playing for the New York Jets against the New England Patriots, during which he was caught saying he was seeing ghosts.
Reflecting on his outing, Wentz stated, I haven’t had many starts over the last couple years in general, but this one felt pretty terrible. I’m not going to lie. Yeah, this one wasn’t my favorite, that’s for sure.
Buffalo entered the contest allowing 28.5 points per game prior to their Week 7 bye. In the passing game, Josh Allen faced a career-high 68.6% blitz rate from the Minnesota defense. Meanwhile, first-round pick Caleb Banks was a surprise healthy scratch for the Vikings.
Ultimately, the burden falls squarely on the front office to decide whether internal options like Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer can steady the ship, or if general manager Nolan Teasley must make a move before the trade deadline expires.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
