Veteran quarterback Carson Wentz was thrust into the starting role for the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football after starter Kyler Murray was listed as a “week-to-week” hamstring concern by head coach Kevin O’Connell. The Vikings, who began the season 5-1 with Murray under center, have relied heavily on their defense while Murray has thrown five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Wentz’s performance against Buffalo
Against the Buffalo Bills, the 33-year‑old completed just eight of 25 pass attempts for a total of 81 yards. He threw two interceptions, and his passer rating fell to 8.9 – the lowest rating recorded by any player with at least 25 attempts since Sam Darnold’s 3.6 rating in 2019.
When not under pressure, Wentz completed only 36% of his throws, the worst mark of the current NFL season. The Bills’ pass defense, which allows the fourth‑most passing yards per game (238.8 yards), did not make Wentz’s struggles any easier.
Context and outlook
Veteran broadcaster Troy Aikman noted the stark contrast between the Vikings’ once‑prolific offense and its current performance, recalling the team’s success in 2024. He warned that if the Vikings turn to Wentz again next Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, the more disruptive Packers defense could make the situation even more challenging.
The Vikings remain 5-2 overall, but the loss highlights the difficulty of replacing Murray’s production and the need for the offense to find consistency before the playoff push intensifies.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
