Vikings Panic Meter: Can Minnesota win the NFC North with Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz?

Vikings Panic Meter: Can Minnesota win the NFC North with Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz? appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Minnesota Vikings dropped a 23-6 game to the Buffalo Bills at home on Monday Night Football, a Week 9 dud that had media questioning Kevin O’Connell about trades and questioning his team’s fitness as a division title contender. Bills outside linebacker Greg Rousseau gave the Vikings’ defense props for its performance, but the offense was embarrassed as Carson Wentz made fans want to change the channel after almost every single play. The horrific loss had fans wondering whether or not O’Connell should push the panic button and whether or not general manager Nolan Teasley should pull the trigger on a trade for a new quarterback. Kyler Murray is week-to-week with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, a situation that will no doubt factor into any decision to make a move to get a new Wentz replacement. Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial) The Vikings need to make some tweaks sooner rather than later with the Packers on deck for Week 10. A game against the 49ers in Week 11 adds to the urgency surrounding O’Connell’s team as they continue to decide what to do next. Richardson, Cousins among trade candidates The Vikings could choose to put an end to the Wentz experiment by trading for former franchise star Kirk Cousins, or taking a flier on Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones of the Colts. All three players are likely available for November 10’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, but each is a huge gamble as they would have to come in and learn a whole new system in the midst of a challenging stretch of Minnesota’s schedule. Former Minnesota Golden Gophers try-hard backup Max Brosmer accounted well for himself when Wentz was finally pulled, giving fans another backup to keep their eyes on going forward. The Vikings’ fans might call for a new QB via trade, but Teasley and O’Connell are better off standing pat with Wentz and Brosmer until Murray comes back. Running game needs a heavy dose of TLC The Vikings’ running game needs a heavy dose of tender love and care heading into the Vikings’ game against the Packers in Week 10. Jordan Mason is a steady, low-to-the-ground running back with the shiftiness and hard-headed style to get results. Aaron Jones needs more touches and a more creative gameplan from coordinator Wes Phillips. Vikings fans want to push the panic button because of Wentz’s gaffes and overall weak play, but the running game is the straw that stirs the drink which needs a lot more attention now. Vikings look cooked, but there is still hope The Vikings look cooked after setting the bar extremely high to open the season. They are very much likely to suffer losses to the Packers and 49ers, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. As long as the Vikings have a stout defense, they have hope to win the division, or at least sneak into the playoffs and win a few games. The onus is now on O’Connell, Phillips and the rest of the coaching staff to reimagine how Minnesota can win games in the coming weeks. The Vikings aren’t the NFC North favorites anymore with the Bears and Lions playing lights-out football, but fans thought that before the season, anyway. It’s time for O’Connell and Phillips to get inventive and go back to the basics of blocking, tackling and physicality. What comes next is anyone’s guess, but it should be something good, or at least way better than fans saw in Week 9. Related: Greg Rousseau gives Vikings defense props for challenging Josh Allen Related: Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell defers to Nolan Teasley on trade deadline questions after MNF bashing