The Buffalo Bills head into a critical Week 9 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. But Buffalo could have been prepping for two quarterbacks over the last few days.
Minnesota is dealing with quarterback issues, as starter Kyler Murray is dealing with a hamstring injury. And according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Vikings are planning to start backup quarterback Carson Wentz against the Bills.
“Vikings QB Carson Wentz will start Monday night’s game vs. the Buffalo Bills while Kyler Murray deals with what the team has called a “sore hamstring,” Schefter wrote Thursday on X.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell also said Wentz will start, calling Murray’s injury week to week.
Wentz Has Been in the NFL For 11 Seasons
Murray has appeared in six games this season, recording 1,022 passing yards and five scores to three interceptions, and has a 5-1 record as a starter.
The Vikings had to rely on Wentz this season after Murray left the Week 1 victory against the Green Bay Packers due to a concussion and did not play in the Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears. So far this season, Wentz has thrown for 276 yards and three touchdowns in two games.
Wentz has been in the NFL since 2016 and has played for the Eagles, Colts, Commanders, Rams and Chiefs. He has played 105 games in his career, giving him enough experience to take on the Bills and provide the Vikings a real chance to win.
The Eagles drafted Wentz with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, highlighting his talent coming out of North Dakota State. However, injuries have taken a toll on his career. Wentz has done a good job coming in for a few games a season, and he is trying to move to a 2-0 record this year.
Bills and Vikings Have Been Winning in Different Ways
Believe it or not, the Bills and Vikings both sit at 6-1, even though they’ve been winning in different ways. The Bills have been winning games with quarterback Josh Allen carrying the team on his back, while Minnesota is winning with a defense playing lights out.
The Bills are averaging the most points per game in the NFL with 33.3, while the Vikings rank 27th, averaging 20 points. However, the Vikings’ defense allows only 13.3 points per game, the best in the league. In contrast, the Bills’ defense allows 25.9 points per game, ranking 24th.
Something has to give in this game, and hopefully it’s the Bills getting past the Vikings’ defense.
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